(18 May 2016, 9:02 am)BusLoverMum wrote I thought the same. The routes concerned are much more like Sapphire routes. Maybe Belmont thought they'd reached peak Sapphire, though.

(18 May 2016, 6:14 pm)OW1762 wrote What makes a route suitable for Sapphire branding, i also thought that max routes where for long distance routes such as the x12, the branding at times really isn't easy to get your head around.

(18 May 2016, 6:42 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Typically, the Max routes are the X services, either involving a long non-stop stretch eg the A66 or places where they're limited stop. Some of the Sapphire services are very long - the 22 and 24 are both a 3 hour round trip Durham - Sunderland/Hartlepool - Durham (the drivers must need a bladder like a hot water bottle!) There are some exceptions, though - the X21/X22 Ashington-Newcastle services are Sapphire, for example.

(16 May 2016, 11:48 pm)Jimmi wrote Is there any particular reason why 1498 always seems to be the go to allocation for Darlington's offering on the Moorsbus services? Just seems rather strange that it's always that one, especially when newer examples are available. The only conclusion I've managed to come to is, that it has a sticker for the National Park or something like that under the side destination screen.

(18 May 2016, 9:57 pm)dannygee wrote The 335 has pvr 2

(19 May 2016, 6:13 am)jaimzm wrote sorry to ask but what MPDS dose belmont have from Ashington cause 1 week i see 1761 1792 then another week i see 1761 1790

(19 May 2016, 7:08 am)Jimmi wrote 1761, 1762, 1766, 1790, 1792.

Which ones you'll see will depend on what's allocated where and if any are VOR or anything like that. One MPD hides away on service 168 round the Hetton-le-Hole area each day.

(19 May 2016, 7:38 am)jaimzm wrote Oh right so what Ashington go in return they got 2 solos to replace the 3 MPDS and thank you

(19 May 2016, 7:51 am)Jimmi wrote Ashington got 2809 and 2812.

Does anyone know why this swap between Ashington and Belmont took place? Just seems a bit odd that it happened and I haven't really heard any real reasons as to why it happened. Also seems daft as most the MPD's that went to Belmont have rear adverts for Internet or WiFi in Northumberland.

(17 May 2016, 7:18 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Knowing Arriva's most recent marketing faux pas, the actual launch will be before there's any Max spec vehicles available. Though, you never know, they may have learnt from that mistake!

The max decker at Gilesgate has been explained in the rare and odd workings thread, now, anyhow: 7609 on the 64.

(19 May 2016, 8:01 am)Kuyoyo wrote I believe it took place when Ashington gained a turn on the evening 57a runs which are of course paid for by NEXUS within North Tyneside Council area and therefore require vehicles with Euro4 engines.

(19 May 2016, 1:23 pm)palatine3833 wrote Apparently the Solos are Euro 5, from what we've been told.  1792 was sent back to Ashington, and 1790 was sent in its place.

(19 May 2016, 3:26 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote There Euro 4, Only Solo's that are Euro 5 are Darlington's 11 Reg ones and the 59 Reg ones might be Euro 5 too.

(19 May 2016, 3:26 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote There Euro 4, Only Solo's that are Euro 5 are Darlington's 11 Reg ones and the 59 Reg ones might be Euro 5 too.

(19 May 2016, 3:31 pm)NK53 TKT wrote 57/57A: PVR 4
4 MPDs

(19 May 2016, 1:43 pm)Stuartphin1639 wrote More from the interworking of the 5/12 in Darlington

If the journey arrives in Darlington as a service 5 it then goes not in service for 15 minutes and then does a 1

If the journey arrives in Darlington as a 5A it then goes on to the service 12, does the full 12 circle and then goes back on a service 1

(19 May 2016, 4:49 pm)John_R wrote If you check the NEB fleet list for Arriva, you will find that the 08 & 58 reg Solos are Euro 5.

(19 May 2016, 6:58 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote How? Euro 5 wasn't for another 1 and a half years later, Unless they've been Eminoxed like what GNE done with some of their Scania's.

(19 May 2016, 7:14 pm)Dan wrote Go North East's Mercedes Citaros new in 2007 and 2008 are Euro 5 (with no SCRT mods).

Not sure where 2009 comes into it?

(19 May 2016, 7:21 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Yes I know, Only Mercedes made the jump from Euro 3 to Euro 5 without bothering with Euro 5, Rival's Scania didn't start producing Euro 5 Engines until late 2009, Stagecoach's first and second batch of N230UDs on E400 bodies were Euro 4 and the second batch was a year later than these Solo's, Which are Euro 5 apparently.

2009 was the deadline for all New Vehicles to be Euro 5, Arriva got away with there 59 and 10 reg Pulsar's as there engines were already in the UK before the deadline came.

(19 May 2016, 7:29 pm)mb134 wrote Not sure what you mean here, I believe that all ANE Pulsars are Euro 5?

(19 May 2016, 7:29 pm)mb134 wrote Not sure what you mean here, I believe that all ANE Pulsars are Euro 5?

(19 May 2016, 7:30 pm)Dan wrote I was under that impression too..?

(19 May 2016, 7:38 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote No, 09/59 and 10 Reg Pulsar's are Euro 4, They have the same engine tuning as the Euro 4 Versa's, While 61 up Pulsar's have a similar tuning to Euro 5 E400s.
Also Euro 5 Pulsar's have restricted kickdowns, Which is part of the Euro 5 regulations, While the Euro 4 have unrestricted Kickdowns, Though Econospeed has restricted them now too.

Not sure if engine tuning is the right word though.

(19 May 2016, 7:45 pm)Dan wrote Just cross-referenced with a few more fleet lists - all seem to suggest the Pulsars (like the Solos) are Euro 5.