19641 is on the 13
19643 and 19644 is on the 10

Looks like INTU to be going into Administration which owns the Metrocentre.

Only problem is that no one wants to go shopping there like it was in the 80’s and 90’s, when Metrocentre first opened it was a new fangle thing, but now there’s retail parks open up practically in every town and city.


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Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone can help with a few things. I've been thinking a lot about the Bygone Era lately, particularly the Go-Ahead Northern era which was by far my favourite. I've been watching a few videos on the Busflix Films channel on YouTube which has brought back a few memories and got me thinking about some of the old Washington bus services that I used to travel on or see as a kid.

Does anyone have any Timetables for the following services that ran in the early 90s please: -

1) Services 177/8. I'm sure these ran on Evenings and Sundays around the whole of Washington including Barmston where I live,although I'm not sure of the full route. I'm sure these services were replaced by the "Orange Mini-Link Route" usually with the number 602, which is now more or less the current 83/4 route. They were usually operated by the Dodge/Renault and or Iveco minibuses

2) Service X83 Sunderland - Washington - MetroCentre?

3) Service X89 - Brady Sq - Washington - Heworth - Newcastle

4) Calvary Coaches service 380 as seen here on Busflix: - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxrchFqj...C&index=10 at around 6:57 Don't think I ever used this service but I remember seeing it.

5) Service 594 as seen here in the White/Blue/Red National on the same video as above at 3:26. I don't seem to recall this service at all

Finally this is probably a daft question as you can't see the fleet or reg nos but does anyone recognise the Leyland National (In same video in link above) at around 1:19/1:20? I didn't look for fleet numbers when I was a kid but I recognise it by its adverts on the side and on the back. I'm sure no other Nationals in Washington had the side adverts at the time and I'm pretty sure this had a white front bumper at the time too. I'm certain it was a FTN XXXW reg. This was my favourite National and it was regularly on the 291/2 in around 1990/1. Used to get on this one a few times and I always thought it was the smartest in the fleet.

Thanks a lot! 

Talking of branding, wonder when GNE will restart the repainting process?, loads to do since the changes

I must have missed it, but I see that Brewdog have released a 'Barnard Castle Eye Test' IPA - https://www.brewdog.com/uk/barnard-castle-eye-test

2nd batch is ready for sale in about 4 weeks time, with all profits going to funding production of free sanitiser for the NHS & Health Care Charities.

Just spotted a GCT 85 to Brady Square, tailed by an indiGo Solo also operating the 85.

Commercial competition?

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MG stated that 9 of the new Streetdecks will be redeployed within Go Ahead. So only 37 DD arriving this year. First one going to Oxford in next few days.

Rest of DD due August with Yutongs in September

All area revisions from 31st May now online at Stagecoachbus.com. (service 12 in Sunderland reinstated)

With the opening of all non-essential retail on the 15th June, when will people be comfortable using public transport for non-essential journeys again? 

I'm assuming it's unlikely that there'll be a government announcement that bus/train enthusiasts can now ride to your heart's content - but if shops such as Primark are reopening, with public transport enforcing social distancing, then this means that people will likely be using public transport for non-essential travel (Though anecdotally many members of the public have been doing this throughout lockdown anyway).

Edit: I believe Stage 1 still advises against use of public transport wherever possible, with this not being mentioned in 2/3 so it is my assumption that the government are expecting people to use public transport again from June/July.

It appears this twitter account has now been deleted.  Was a good account and really benefited the local history. Will be a miss unless gets resurrected under a new guise.