A handy little helping hand for anybody heading to Glasgow during the duration of the Games - here is a list of vehicles presently there (it's not complete yet - no Stagecoach or National Express vehicles, nor any of the East Yorkshire or Go North East vehicles send up as these aren't know yet) - I will update and add to it as more details become available

Given that I've seen mentions of GNE employees e-mailing the vehicles attending Glasgow to enthusiasts on Facebook, it seems appropriate to mention that no branded vehicles will be going to Glasgow.

I presume that Go North East will update their Enthusiast Area documents today to show the vehicles attending Glasgow, given that some of the movements will occur tonight ready for tomorrow whilst others will be done tomorrow morning instead.

All four red Volvo B9TLs will go, as well as the red Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis. Making up the remaining 20 is Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents from various depots, which would have otherwise been used on scholars during term time.

It will be interesting to see how the normal allocations cope without the Geminis.

(21 Jul 2014, 7:31 am)Dan wrote Given that I've seen mentions of GNE employees e-mailing the vehicles attending Glasgow to enthusiasts on Facebook, it seems appropriate to mention that no branded vehicles will be going to Glasgow.

I presume that Go North East will update their Enthusiast Area documents today to show the vehicles attending Glasgow, given that some of the movements will occur tonight ready for tomorrow whilst others will be done tomorrow morning instead.

All four red Volvo B9TLs will go, as well as the red Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis. Making up the remaining 20 is Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents from various depots, which would have otherwise been used on scholars during term time.

It will be interesting to see how the normal allocations cope without the Geminis.

There will be plenty Lolynes free at Percy Main as the schools are off, so they may be cascaded.

(21 Jul 2014, 8:03 am)Tom wrote There will be plenty Lolynes free at Percy Main as the schools are off, so they may be cascaded.

Plenty of Olympians at Stanley aswell?

(21 Jul 2014, 8:41 am)Robert wrote Plenty of Olympians at Stanley aswell?

High floor vehicles are a no-go.

Depots should not be allocating them at all, whether it's the school holidays or not.

I'd imagine they will be retained at Riverside and Stanley as a last resort, but after the vehicles return from Glasgow, I can't see anything preventing them from being withdrawn - provided that their replacements will be ready for September.

(21 Jul 2014, 8:48 am)Dan wrote High floor vehicles are a no-go.

Depots should not be allocating them at all, whether it's the school holidays or not.

I'd imagine they will be retained at Riverside and Stanley as a last resort, but after the vehicles return from Glasgow, I can't see anything preventing them from being withdrawn - provided that their replacements will be ready for September.

Hopefully!

(21 Jul 2014, 8:51 am)Michael wrote Hopefully!

The majority will be withdrawn anyway (regardless of the outcome of this year's investment) as a result of the loss of scholar contracts in Tyne & Wear from September 2014 - all that is required is for the current B7TLs which are allocated to be transferred to Stanley.

I think Riverside will retain their three until last due to the fact they very rarely allocate their Olympians to normal service work, and they're only ever on driver shuttles and/or the Jewish Scholars contract.

Paired with the investment, I am inclined to suggest there will be more replacement B7TLs in the fleet than Olympians remaining, and it's unlikely they'll remain as additional spares - so scope for other double deckers in the fleet (Lolynes, perhaps) to be withdrawn too...

(21 Jul 2014, 8:57 am)Dan wrote The majority will be withdrawn anyway (regardless of the outcome of this year's investment) as a result of the loss of scholar contracts in Tyne & Wear from September 2014 - all that is required is for the current B7TLs which are allocated to be transferred to Stanley.

I think Riverside will retain their three until last due to the fact they very rarely allocate their Olympians to normal service work, and they're only ever on driver shuttles and/or the Jewish Scholars contract.

Paired with the investment, I am inclined to suggest there will be more replacement B7TLs in the fleet than Olympians remaining, and it's unlikely they'll remain as additional spares - so scope for other double deckers in the fleet (Lolynes, perhaps) to be withdrawn too...

Wonder who will pick up the B7TL's?

(21 Jul 2014, 9:02 am)Michael wrote Wonder who will pick up the B7TL's?

Without wishing to go even more off-topic than we already have, Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents will directly replace Volvo Olympians; as such, we can expect a number, perhaps in the coming weeks, to move around the region.

I'd expect that a number of Volvo B7TLs will be freed up imminently, given that they are no longer required on scholar services. This will assist in the withdrawal of Olympians. Assuming that Stanley's Olympians are withdrawn first - as I have suggested - then I'd expect any that remain without replacement will be withdrawn come September, by which time new arrivals should have entered the fleet as per this year's investment.

(21 Jul 2014, 9:08 am)Dan wrote Without wishing to go even more off-topic than we already have, Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents will directly replace Volvo Olympians; as such, we can expect a number, perhaps in the coming weeks, to move around the region.

I'd expect that a number of Volvo B7TLs will be freed up imminently, given that they are no longer required on scholar services. This will assist in the withdrawal of Olympians. Assuming that Stanley's Olympians are withdrawn first - as I have suggested - then I'd expect any that remain without replacement will be withdrawn come September, by which time new arrivals should have entered the fleet as per this year's investment.

Ye we have gone off-topic .

Fleet changes is likely this weekend due to the changes which are due on the 27th July.

19679 has Arrived in Glasgow
https://www.flickr.com/photos/david_love...otostream/
Photo By Flickr User David Love

(21 Jul 2014, 8:51 am)Michael wrote Hopefully!

Some right Olympian haters on here!

(22 Jul 2014, 7:56 am)Roland Pratt wrote Some right Olympian haters on here!

Some people like/hate certain buses lol

(22 Jul 2014, 7:56 am)Roland Pratt wrote Some right Olympian haters on here!

As an enthusiast, I love them.
As a passenger - no thanks - give me a bus with Wi-Fi and plug sockets!

I also like Olympians and would like to see them all before withdrawal

(22 Jul 2014, 9:18 am)Dan wrote As an enthusiast, I love them.
As a passenger - no thanks - give me a bus with Wi-Fi and plug sockets!

I personally have always preferred the Palatine 1s over the Palatine 2 body - but the Olympians, to me anyway, are great workhorses.

Apparently 4 Tridents from Stagecoach Cumbria have gone to Glasgow

(22 Jul 2014, 10:49 am)tyresmoke wrote Apparently 4 Tridents from Stagecoach Cumbria have gone to Glasgow

They were originally down to send a few from details I received about a month ago so I wouldn't be surprised, with the North East sending more (though originally I think this was down to be mostly Tridents rather than E400s - clearly this changed).


As an update for Go North East...

From Chester-le-Street:

• Volvo B7TL 6016
  
• Volvo B7TL 6019
  
• Volvo B7TL 6036

From Deptford:

• Volvo B7TL 6008 (replacing Volvo B7TL 6010 from Stanley)
  
• Volvo B7TL 6020
  
• Volvo B7TL 6028
  
• Volvo B9TL 6099
  
• Volvo B7TL 6100

From Stanley:

• Volvo B7TL 6009
  
• Volvo B7TL 6012

From Percy Main:

• Volvo B9TL 6116
  
• Volvo B9TL 6117

From Riverside:

• Volvo B7TL 3941
  
• Volvo B7TL 3964*
  
• Volvo B7TL 6015
  
• Volvo B7TL 6031 (replacing Volvo B7TL 6014)
  
• Volvo B7TL 6042 (replacing Volvo B7TL 6023)

From Washington:

• Volvo B7TL 6027
  
• Volvo B7TL 6029 (replacing Volvo B7TL 6011 which didn't feel too good upon arrival at Riverside this morning)
  
• Volvo B7TL 6032

*I am told that Volvo B7TL 3964 was originally meant to head up North later this week, but has gone in place of 3963 (which presumably encountered problems this morning so couldn't go up today). I'd therefore assume that 3963 will go up later this week, taking the place of 3964.

After arriving at Riverside at 08:45am, the convoy of vehicles from other depots were all given last minute checks by Riverside engineering. After this, drivers made their way to the MetroCentre Coach Park between 09:00am and 09:30am for a photoshoot. Volvo B7TL 6020 unfortunately did not participate while it received further attention from engineering. The drivers all looked very happy indeed, and they got involved in some group photographs alongside other members of Go North East staff who were present.

Updated list - still not complete (and to be totally honest, I don't think it ever will be)

I disliked the Volvo Olympians with the N-C Palatine 1 body. Always prefered the curves of the Palatine 2.

(22 Jul 2014, 11:49 am)GMitchelhill wrote I disliked the Volvo Olympians with the N-C Palatine 1 body. Always prefered the curves of the Palatine 2.

Cant fault them on their engines though (well, the Ex-London ones). Cracking things when it comes to a bank.

(22 Jul 2014, 11:57 am)Robert wrote Cant fault them on their engines though (well, the Ex-London ones). Cracking things when it comes to a bank.

The ex London ones were terrible, I liked the ones Arriva had I often would ride them on Service 84 from Bishop Auckland to Darlington, I liked them on the X66, X24 and for a brief time I got to ride them to college on service 7. I also managed two trips on 7367 operating service X61 from Aycliffe to Scarborough and back. Shame they've had to be withdrawn.

(22 Jul 2014, 12:11 pm)Jimmi wrote The ex London ones were terrible, I liked the ones Arriva had I often would ride them on Service 84 from Bishop Auckland to Darlington, I liked them on the X66, X24 and for a brief time I got to ride them to college on service 7. I also managed two trips on 7367 operating service X61 from Aycliffe to Scarborough and back. Shame they've had to be withdrawn.

When 3910 and 3915 were reinstated at Stanley they dominated the Palatine 2s on Maiden Law/Howdon Bank when they did Scholars services. They went like it was on the flat still!

Although I am unable to provide fleet numbers as I didn't catch up with any yesterday, I am told that a number of new Lothian Volvo 7900Hs have gone to Glasgow to provide transport for shuttle services.

As some of the only single deckers providing transport, I am not sure if they will be staying the entire duration of the Games or not.

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-28513536

More buses promised by games organisers