(18 Mar 2016, 6:45 pm)James101 wrote Would deffo like to do the 689, and maybe the demo metrocity. So possibly do-able via Durham and consett. Could get an omnidekka that way too, what do they work into Durham?

(18 Mar 2016, 6:45 pm)James101 wrote Would deffo like to do the 689, and maybe the demo metrocity. So possibly do-able via Durham and consett. Could get an omnidekka that way too, what do they work into Durham?

(18 Mar 2016, 6:48 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Aye the 689 is a brilliant route, I believe 1 board of the 15/15A is allocated Omnidekkas unless things have changed. Also good luck trying to find that board because its very rarely a Omnidekka anyways.

(18 Mar 2016, 6:48 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Aye the 689 is a brilliant route, I believe 1 board of the 15/15A is allocated Omnidekkas unless things have changed. Also good luck trying to find that board because its very rarely a Omnidekka anyways.

(18 Mar 2016, 6:45 pm)James101 wrote Would deffo like to do the 689, and maybe the demo metrocity. So possibly do-able via Durham and consett. Could get an omnidekka that way too, what do they work into Durham?

(18 Mar 2016, 7:05 pm)Andreos1 wrote The 689 only does one in each direction during the week.
Not sure about school holiday weeks. Unless you are gonna be up with the larks, maybe worth getting the 689 FROM Hexham, rather than to.

(18 Mar 2016, 6:46 pm)Adrian wrote For variety, how about parking in Durham? You could do X21 to Bishop, X1 to Darlo, 21 to Peterlee, 24 to Durham again?

(18 Mar 2016, 6:46 pm)Adrian wrote For variety, how about parking in Durham? You could do X21 to Bishop, X1 to Darlo, 21 to Peterlee, 24 to Durham again?

(18 Mar 2016, 7:23 pm)Jimmi wrote You say variety but you could end up with a Pulsar on the X1 and 21 as well as it being the standard allocation on the 24.

(18 Mar 2016, 7:28 pm)S813 FVK wrote Variety isnt just about going on different vehicle types.

(18 Mar 2016, 7:18 pm)Tom wrote Think there is a 74 that arrives into Hexham around 13:10, then the 689 departs at 13:40 ish. Well worth doing.

(20 Mar 2016, 9:24 pm)Malarkey wrote Thinking of doing the following on April 2nd.

05:30 - Megabus - Newcastle to Leeds - 08:00
08:30 - Transdev CityZap - Leeds to York - 09:20
12:30 - Transdev CityZap - York to Leeds - 13:20
15:40 - Megabus - Leeds to Newcastle - 18:40

Personally think paying a total £2 to go from Leeds to York and back is an excellent promotional offer to take advantage of, note it is only valid between March 27th 2016 and April 2nd 2016 if your planning on making a trip, Also Bus Services in Leeds and York have changed quite a lot since I was last down there in July 2014, in terms of New Vehicles, so it will be nice to get photos of the updated fleets also, with Transdevs new Cityzap/StreetDecks on the 36, Arriva with MAX/Sapphire Services, Eyms with the EvoSetis/B5TLs & E400MMCs on the X46, and finally First Leeds with there 14reg E400s and the recently repainted B5LHs, so plenty of photo opportunities to be had, all I need to do is book my Megabus Tickets.

(20 Mar 2016, 9:37 pm)Jimmi wrote I quite enjoyed my trip to York yesterday, there is some quite nice scenery around York. I didn't actually sample any buses whilst I was over there yesterday but think I spent most of my time there well, apart from getting a bit lost at one point trying to find some lunch. I spent a bit time at the CityZap launch and I saw a few ethusiasts whilst I was over there. I've uploaded a few photos and there is more to come, see this Flickr album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/127079988@N02/albums/72157666129104726

Leeds is on my list of places to do, I am maybe thinking of aiming for sometime in May which will be dependent on my availability as there is a few other bus things I am looking to do in the upcoming months.

At least I seem to be getting more confident at using the train which is good especially as I am planning on using the train more in the summer, although I may have panicked if it was my train that had been cancelled rather than my friend's. Managed to handle things smoothly enough including collecting my tickets from the machines which take an age. I got Virgin Trains East Coast to York and got my first experience of First TransPennine Express for my journey back to Darlington.

(20 Mar 2016, 9:37 pm)Jimmi wrote I quite enjoyed my trip to York yesterday, there is some quite nice scenery around York. I didn't actually sample any buses whilst I was over there yesterday but think I spent most of my time there well, apart from getting a bit lost at one point trying to find some lunch. I spent a bit time at the CityZap launch and I saw a few ethusiasts whilst I was over there. I've uploaded a few photos and there is more to come, see this Flickr album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/127079988@N02/albums/72157666129104726

Leeds is on my list of places to do, I am maybe thinking of aiming for sometime in May which will be dependent on my availability as there is a few other bus things I am looking to do in the upcoming months.

At least I seem to be getting more confident at using the train which is good especially as I am planning on using the train more in the summer, although I may have panicked if it was my train that had been cancelled rather than my friend's. Managed to handle things smoothly enough including collecting my tickets from the machines which take an age. I got Virgin Trains East Coast to York and got my first experience of First TransPennine Express for my journey back to Darlington.

Think this is my favourite photo from yesterday.
Transdev Yorkshire Coastliner: 417 / FJ08BYV by Matthew Jimmison, on Flickr

(20 Mar 2016, 9:45 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote I'm aiming for Manchester, Birmingham and London this year. ( Already done London but its too big to do in a day ) Birmingham will be a new place for me.

Leeds is good for Variety aswell as Harrogate and Is worth doing.

Though for next week I'm planning Hexham on Thursday for the new Solos and other bits and bobs over the Holidays, I will get down to Wallsend, Cobalt Etc for the Indigo Solos on their first day -
The Wednesday after.

(20 Mar 2016, 9:45 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote I'm aiming for Manchester, Birmingham and London this year. ( Already done London but its too big to do in a day ) Birmingham will be a new place for me.

Leeds is good for Variety aswell as Harrogate and Is worth doing.

Though for next week I'm planning Hexham on Thursday for the new Solos and other bits and bobs over the Holidays, I will get down to Wallsend, Cobalt Etc for the Indigo Solos on their first day -
The Wednesday after.

(20 Mar 2016, 9:24 pm)Malarkey wrote Thinking of doing the following on April 2nd.

05:30 - Megabus - Newcastle to Leeds - 08:00
08:30 - Transdev CityZap - Leeds to York - 09:20
12:30 - Transdev CityZap - York to Leeds - 13:20
15:40 - Megabus - Leeds to Newcastle - 18:40

Personally think paying a total £2 to go from Leeds to York and back is an excellent promotional offer to take advantage of, note it is only valid between March 27th 2016 and April 2nd 2016 if your planning on making a trip, Also Bus Services in Leeds and York have changed quite a lot since I was last down there in July 2014, in terms of New Vehicles, so it will be nice to get photos of the updated fleets also, with Transdevs new Cityzap/StreetDecks on the 36, Arriva with MAX/Sapphire Services, Eyms with the EvoSetis/B5TLs & E400MMCs on the X46, and finally First Leeds with there 14reg E400s and the recently repainted B5LHs, so plenty of photo opportunities to be had, all I need to do is book my Megabus Tickets.

(20 Mar 2016, 9:57 pm)Jimmi wrote I'm having a weekend in Manchester in a few weeks time although I am there for other reasons, the main one being Muse. I think London would scare me slightly with how big it is, not sure if I would ever do Birmingham or not.

I did Harrogate fairly recently but I didn't get any further than the bus station as I ended up gaining a travel companion for that day and I tend to do less when others are with me.

Think I may do Alnwick and Berwick in a few weeks time.

Some things I may do:
Edinburgh (possibly for Lothian Open Doors again).
Leyland Olympian Running Day enthusiasts tour (Chesterfield - May 21st)
Scarborough BusFest and Running Day (May 22nd).
Showbus.
Moorsbus.
Dalesbus.

More may crop up and I may change my mind on the above, we'll see.

(20 Mar 2016, 10:03 pm)BusLoverMum wrote I'd be tempted by the Scarboro' one, too, if it wasn't on a Sunday. Would be nice to meet my parents there, for the day!

(20 Mar 2016, 10:08 pm)Jimmi wrote It is a bit irritating with it being a Sunday meaning I would either have to get the X93 from Scarborough at 1550 to catch the last X66 back to Darlington or get the train back to Darlington from Middlesbrough. Would also require the train to Middlesbrough on the Monday or I could get the train from Newton Aycliffe all the way to Whitby. Times may change as Arriva are making service changes a few weeks before this in the Darlington area.

(21 Mar 2016, 8:49 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Ive got my outing planned for Hexham and the new Solos, It has been rescheduled for Saturday due to meeting with my mates on Thursday night.

My outing is as follows

1135 74 Eldon Square - Hexham 1301 ( Hoping the driver will be early en route to get a photo on the route )

Photograph buses in Hexham Bus Station 1300 - 1510

1510 AD122 Hexham - Haltwhistle 1606

1620 681 Haltwhistle - Alston 1708

Get a photo of the ( Hopefully ) Solo in Alston

1715 X81 Alston - Hexham 1805

1822 685/85 Hexham - Eldon Square 1918

Then head home.

Hoping I have good drivers so if there early they will let me get a photo en route.

I'm lucking forward to it

I will be out on Thursday just not too far, Maybe Ashington or Metro Replacements

Anyone who wants to tag along is welcome, Just look for a 13 year old boy taking photos