Anybody heading along this year? I tend to go most years and it's always a cracking weekend. It's the 25th anniversary this year.

http://www.sunderlandlive.co.uk/events/s...nniversary

It's also confirmed that the Red Arrows will kick things off on the Friday evening.

A bit like the ferries thread, just trying to start some discussion about trips on trains. Anyone been on any unusual trips, sleepers or even a trans-European trek?

Just trying to get the forums started off a bit.

Has anyone had any adventures or trips on North Sea, English Channel or Irish Sea Ferries - or anything even more exotic?

Got some photos from a bus event or rally? Display them here! Discussion and queries also permitted on this thread.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarke...424938232/
All my photos are in the above link for the MetroCentre Bus Rally 2013.

Overall I really enjoyed myself, today was the first time I've ever been to the MetroCentre Bus Rally as far as I can remember, I may of went as a child years and years ago but I really can't remember.

I was rather impressed with the amount of buses there was there compared to what is at Seaburn Bus Rally, I also thought GNE may have brought some more buses such as:

Festival of the North East Gemini
Wear Tees Xpress Renown
OK Expressway
KeyMobileApp ELC Loyne

Just to list a few. Maybe next year once the New Depot is open GNE will send even more buses as the depot will only be 30 seconds away from MetroCentre Coach Park.

I was found it quite odd that GNE sent two of their demonstration buses to the rally. I also was quite shocked Arriva showed up, but I was also disappointed that they didn't bring their United/Arriva ALX400's with them either.

I was also disappointed that Stagecoach didn't show up with a few buses, although I recall they didn't show up at Seaburn last year, yet there Sunderland Depot is only a few minutes away. Basically same scenario with there Slatyford/Byker/Walker Depots in Newcastle to/from the MetroCentre.

Other Operators I expected to see were Weardale who also no showed for whatever reason.

But anyways as I said I really enjoyed myself today and I hope other did also and I look forward to looking at your photos also. Finally I have to say My Overall Favourite/Favourites, I have 2 on this occasion are:

Sunderland Busways Dennis Dart and the Northern MCW MetroBus.

Our members often post details of registrations made by bus operators to register a new service, vary a route and/or timetable, or cancel a service. Under normal circumstances, VOSA typically stipulates an advance notice of 56 days notice prior to a change.

Registrations can be found in this link -

https://www.tan.gov.uk/tanen/vosa_selfse...ch_new.asp

The first section allows you to view registrations made on a particular day for any combination of UK Traffic Areas -

[attachment=4418]

The second part of the page allows you to search for registrations that have appeared in a Notices and Proceedings Publication. This publication is released periodically and gives registration details as well as licence changes and variations to depot capacity etc. A search for "Go Northern Ltd" in the latest publication will give the following results -

[attachment=4420]

In the latter part of the page, you can search for a registration by filling in any two or more of the criteria listed. If you know the service number and/or operator name, and Traffic Area, you can search for past registrations, variations, and cancellations.

A search using this section will give you a result similar-looking to this -

[attachment=4419]

A function exists to view the history of the registration, how many times the service has varied, and on what dates.

If you have any further questions about using VOSA to search for registrations, post a reply below!

News, debate and discussion on South East's Bus Operations.

After a little bike ride around Washington I ventured up to the Holiday Inn, in whic I found 510 YN05 GZS Scania K114IB Irizar Century C49Ft Built 2005 parked around the back of the Hotel. This has proven to be a great spot to find Random Coaches/Companies in recent weeks. I'm my guess work is good in assuming that this will be at the MetroCentre Bus Rally tomorrow

http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarke...otostream/
Apologies about the image quality, the sun was really badly shining on the coach.

The latest installment of ex-London DAF's have started entering service in Northumberland, former DLA197 7467 is pictured on the X21.

Yellow unbranded MPD working the 60. Just left Seaham now.

Today's Sunderland rare working of the day goes to the Pointer 2 Dart on the X1! Unfortunately didn't get a photo.

Building on the points made earlier in the main GNE forum, thought it would be worth making a new thread to discuss and compare branding and the different strategies operators use.

Whilst inovative 6 or 7 years ago with the funky colours and imaginative names, personally I think GNE have gone too far.
Having worked and spent a lot of time in Nottingham, it has been a success down there, however the network is totally different, with the majority of routes being similar to Stagecoach City Centre to Estates type services.

However when looking at ANE or SNE, their branding isnt as brash or over the top as the ones GNE have and they still maintain their corporate identities.