(01 Jun 2015, 8:13 pm)Tom wrote The B5LH's on the 308 are decent, and the MPDs/Commanders are all right, but my god those Geminis are a disgrace. 

(01 Jun 2015, 8:17 pm)mb134 wrote Aye the B5's aren't that bad, comfortable as well.

The headrests on the MPD's are shot, and they sound like they're permanently going to give up, but they are pretty pacey. Haven't been on a Commander in a while, and their last Pulsar I had was 1493 which sounded shocking. 

I've said it before, but I'd prefer 7501-9 over a Gemini any day, they just don't actually seem to have any power. Is a mouse powering the engine on a little wheel? 

(01 Jun 2015, 8:19 pm)Tom wrote I've only been on the three Wi-Fi ones and they were pretty good, but I agree about the headrests.

Hopefully Arriva will sort there service in Northumberland out!

(01 Jun 2015, 8:22 pm)mb134 wrote I don't think they can do much about the old Alnwick based routes, but I do think if they cut the short X14 interworking with the 33 and 57A that could help. 

For Blyth, can't believe I'm about to say this, but, maybe they could do with a few E400s  

(03 Jun 2015, 7:03 am)mb134 wrote 7508's NSA's aren't working, they flick between the "Sapphire" adverts and a black screen.

The WiFi ain't working either

(03 Jun 2015, 3:48 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote Get your no-quibble free voucher thing - if I saw this any earlier I would have told the supervisor about it. 

(03 Jun 2015, 3:48 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote Get your no-quibble free voucher thing - if I saw this any earlier I would have told the supervisor about it. 

(03 Jun 2015, 4:42 pm)Robert wrote "Arriva North East - Arriva Castleford Volvo B7TLs 659 (W659 CWX) and 664 (W664 CWX) were collected today and moved to Durham depot. There are expected to be up to 8 deckers coming to Durham to replace 7436-7444" received the source from a friend so may not be as accurate as it appears. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152917966366546&set=pcb.1456650564628977&type=1&theater

(03 Jun 2015, 5:11 pm)Kuyoyo wrote It's genuine - the person posting on Facebook is Palatine3833 here.

In other news, Durham released 1423 to Stockton on Monday. It was returned today due to the large number of issues discovered by Stockton's engineering team during the first checks. At the same time, 1410/7 were collected.

(03 Jun 2015, 3:59 pm)Robert wrote Does the money back voucher apply to features not working on board? I would say it would only be a valid request if the bus was a no show or broke down.

(03 Jun 2015, 5:11 pm)Kuyoyo wrote It's genuine - the person posting on Facebook is Palatine3833 here.

In other news, Durham released 1423 to Stockton on Monday. It was returned today due to the large number of issues discovered by Stockton's engineering team during the first checks. At the same time, 1410/7 were collected.

ANE-2803.JPG (Size 564.9 KB | Downloads 611)

(03 Jun 2015, 7:21 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Stockton's 2803 has been treated to a skirt repaint.

(03 Jun 2015, 7:21 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Stockton's 2803 has been treated to a skirt repaint.

(03 Jun 2015, 7:26 pm)tyresmoke wrote It's just been tested this morning and given what a mess it was when it arrived from Durham, I'm not surprised they've replaced all of the skirt panels (and front bumper) - Not worth painting the rest as it's going for refurb in the near future anyway.

(03 Jun 2015, 4:42 pm)Robert wrote "Arriva North East - Arriva Castleford Volvo B7TLs 659 (W659 CWX) and 664 (W664 CWX) were collected today and moved to Durham depot. There are expected to be up to 8 deckers coming to Durham to replace 7436-7444" received the source from a friend so may not be as accurate as it appears. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152917966366546&set=pcb.1456650564628977&type=1&theater

(03 Jun 2015, 9:14 pm)mb134 wrote Y-reg being displaced by W-reg, what's going on here like?

(04 Jun 2015, 7:57 am)tyresmoke wrote My understanding is that keeping the Lowlanders on the road is costing a fortune so this is a quick fix available with these B7TLs from Yorkshire. If they're all like 651 which we had on loan in 2013 then they should be spot on, they're well looked after!

(04 Jun 2015, 8:56 am)mb134 wrote Ah okay, guess it goes back to the discussion the other evening doesn't it, the North East needs new double deckers!

I remember that 7438 was frequently off the road at Ashington, and if I recall correctly stood in the yard for months before its Durham move. 7437 seemed the only decent one. 

Hope that the 57-reg batch are looked after a bit better

(04 Jun 2015, 9:07 am)Jimmi wrote The Lowlander's seem dreadful these days, they are all pretty well shot now, they often seem to break down often in the worst places such as 7443 broke down at the roundabout up by New College one morning which caused traffic chaos in the area and 7444 never seems to want to leave Durham Bus Station so often breaks down before leaving the bus station. Some are very rarely on the road, I have hardly ever seen 7442 recently. Then there is the state of the interior where many of the seats have been vandalised with many of the seats now saying Turban90 on the back and some look like they have been ripped far back.

Can't wait to see these go as they are rather an embarrassment especially with them Urban90's seats, so I can't wait for their replacements.

(04 Jun 2015, 12:21 pm)mb134 wrote Seem to recall when 7443 came to Ashington quite a few years back now, it seemed to never move from the corner of the depot. 

The Urban90 seating should've been ripped out long ago, and it's a disgrace that it wasn't. 

The last time I was on one, 7436 if I recall correctly, it was making horrible noises, and felt as though something was grinding constantly. Got one to school one morning and honestly, I've still no idea how it made it (either 7436 or 7438) and was still running later on on my way home. 

From what I remember, 7453-6 were always much smoother, and had an abundance of power. Although for most of them, their time on the 518 took it's toll.

(04 Jun 2015, 9:07 am)Jimmi wrote The Lowlander's seem dreadful these days, they are all pretty well shot now, they often seem to break down often in the worst places such as 7443 broke down at the roundabout up by New College one morning which caused traffic chaos in the area and 7444 never seems to want to leave Durham Bus Station so often breaks down before leaving the bus station. Some are very rarely on the road, I have hardly ever seen 7442 recently. Then there is the state of the interior where many of the seats have been vandalised with many of the seats now saying Turban90 on the back and some look like they have been ripped far back.

Can't wait to see these go as they are rather an embarrassment especially with them Urban90's seats, so I can't wait for their replacements.

(04 Jun 2015, 5:43 pm)Cock Robin wrote Never been repainted since new some of them have they? So if the chasses have been as well looked after...

(04 Jun 2015, 5:43 pm)Cock Robin wrote Never been repainted since new some of them have they? So if the chasses have been as well looked after...

(04 Jun 2015, 5:47 pm)Jimmi wrote Most have been repainted, I think 7444 is the only one that hasn't been treated to a repaint.

(04 Jun 2015, 5:54 pm)Kuyoyo wrote 7443/4 have both been repainted - 7438 is the only one that hasn't been done as far as I'm aware.