Hi everyone. Hope you're all having a great evening and I thought I'd put something together now before everyone gets a bit too drunk!

It's been another interesting year for the site. We remain the #1 online community for bus enthusiasts in the North East - a one-stop shop to find out the very latest information, and historical archive information too.

What can we look forward to in the new year?

A new-look forum - some minor cosmetic changes are being made.

A new-look Bygone Era - we're very close to releasing the new Bygone Era which will hold all previous archived documents held on the forum, as well as new documents. We plan to integrate this section with the news, so users can see timetables, promotional materials and news, all for a specific time period.

Further archive information added to the news and fleet lists - some of you may have noticed some additions to the "Treasures from our archives" on our news section recently. More content will continue to be added in the new year, including more comprehensive details and photographs where possible.

And hopefully we'll bring some new members to the forum to contribute to our growing community.


So happy new year, everyone. I wish you and your families all a happy, healthy, 2017.

Dan

Well, as people already seem eager for the 2017 season, let's look at it shall we.

The first one in the North East area for the large majority is the 500 Group's Teesside Running Day.

The date is presently set for Sunday 23rd April 2017.

As with the past two years, our Bristol VR H106 and Dennis Loline 99 will be attending. More will be revealed as it becomes clear.

Expect the usual attendees (if you have been before you know the regular line-up) with local independents and the large operators sending vehicle along even if only for static display.

Mod edit: Since this was posted, we've had confirmation from the NEBPT that the event will be held as follows.

NEBPT North East Bus and Coach Show 2017
Sunday, 30th April 2017
@ Spillers Wharf, Quayside, Newcastle



Cheers,
Adrian

With a number of partnership areas constantly reviewing options and contracts (particularly in Yorkshire) and the usual tenders coming up for renewal or discussion, I thought it would be worth while setting up a dedicated thread for discussion there.

Obviously this has the benefits of not clogging up threads and enables forum users to keep an eye on discussion relating to tenders, rather than it getting lost amongst discussion about new vehicles.

To start, I have spotted this contract in Derbyshire, that runs over in to Nottinghamshire.
https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert...0c29c9ba21

18 lots are available, across the county - all requiring vehicles of 16 seats or more.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1287004221320216/?ti=cl

Not sure what they're running, but if you're in that neck of the woods on New Years Eve...

I went to Swansea away on Saturday and used a Parkand Ride off the M4. It was Swansea Bus & Coach who used a 70 seater MIG 1723 reminded me of JH's old bus YKZ 9965 or something like that.

Iveco/Plaxton 648 WHK is now in standard light blue livery.

I've been an avid cyclist for many years, so I want to share some of my routes and get a few in return. There arent too many sites around for the north east. I guess we see if anyone but me cycles, but here we go. I'm omitting trips to and from my front door, so all routes will start at Metrocentre Transport Interchange, for instance sake.


#1 (Road/Path) (45.6 Miles - 4h 25m) Metrocentre - Scotswood Bridge - Lemington - Newburn - Prudhoe - A695 - Stocksfield - Riding Mill (Pub) - A68 - Whitenstall - Ebchester - Shotley Bridge - Blackhill - Derwent Walk - Tanfield Railway Path - Metrocentre

The main roads are safe, the only places to watch is the A68, for which you will need to keep a decent speed. Everywhere else is safe because it's all open road. Whitenstall bank is a real killer, so is Blackhill. The Derwent Walk back is all down hill and takes just 45 minutes. Loved this one!


#2 (Road/Path) (29.1 miles - 3h 20m) Metrocentre - Tanfield Railway Path - Sunniside - C2C - Whickham Golf Course Derwent Walk - Rowlands Gill - Derwent Walk - Blackhill - Consett - Dipton - Harelaw - Catchgate - Annfield Plain - Greencroft Industrial Estate - Maiden Law - Lanchester - A691 - Delves Lane - Consett - Blackhill - Derwent Walk - Blaydon - Metrocentre

This one is a big loop, enjoyable if you are brave enough to endure the 691 uphill for 5 miles. Love going through Lanchester and Derwentside, though.


#3 (Road) (55.5 miles - 5h 0m)
Metrocentre - Teams - Swing Bridge - Dean street - Roundabout over Central Motorway with metro radio thing - Quayside - St. Peter's Basin - Tyne Met - New York - North Tynside Hospital - Whitely Bay - Coast to Tynemouth - North Shields - Ferry (Passenger Tunnels are off until 2018, have to pay for this ferry!) - South Sheilds - Whiteleas - The Boldens - Primrose - Wardley - High Heworth - Wrekenton Bank - Team Valley - Dunston - Metrocentre

This one is a cracker on a sunny day, especially going down the coast. Not many hills, either. Will be my favourite when the public cycle tunnels open again!


#4 (Road/Path) (46.2 miles) Metrocentre - Tanfield Railway Path - Sunniside - C2C - Whickham Golf Club - Derwent Walk - Blackhill - Consett - Dipton - Flint Hill - Catchgate - Annfield Plain - Stanley - South Stanley - Craghead - Sacriston - CLS - Penshaw Monument (break on the hill at monument) - Fence houses - Shiney Row - Sunderland - South Shields - Whiteleas - The Boldens - Primrose - Wardley - High Heworth - Wrekenton Bank - Team Valley - Dunston - Metrocentre

Great trip around Derwentside and across all of south Tyne and Wear. Great views from Penshaw.


#5 (Road/Path) (31.1 miles) Metrocentre - Tanfield Railway Path - Sunniside - C2C - Whickham Golf Club - Derwent Walk - Blackhill - Consett - Dipton - Flint Hill - Catchgate - Annfield Plain - Stanley - South Stanley - Craghead - Sacriston - CLS - A167 - Angel of the North - Wrekenton - Gateshead - Bensham Bank - Dunston - Metrocentre

This one is a decent one, but I only use this as a variation route.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

Generated on submission of first thread

MMC on 38. Enviro 300 on X34