(29 Jan 2016, 6:12 pm)R852 PRG wrote Looking forward to my outing tomorrow, I'm intending to just stay fairly local, and I'm leaving Hexham for another day, most likely at some point over the new couple of weeks as I'd like some photos of the MPDs before they go (already let 555 and 561 go - although they may hopefully still be parked up at the depot when I finally get there). Might start by having a walk along to Chester-le-Street depot for some photos of stuff leaving, and then head along to the Front Street for some photos (as is now common practice) and just see where I end up. I've noticed the weather has been quite nice during the week, although the wind for the past couple of days hasn't been great. I intend to utilise the assistance of either Dan or citaro5284 in finding where 4926 is, given that it is on loan to Stanley. May just give a description of the outing as opposed to a full-on review. Hopefully will be a good outing.

(29 Jan 2016, 6:12 pm)R852 PRG wrote Looking forward to my outing tomorrow, I'm intending to just stay fairly local, and I'm leaving Hexham for another day, most likely at some point over the new couple of weeks as I'd like some photos of the MPDs before they go (already let 555 and 561 go - although they may hopefully still be parked up at the depot when I finally get there). Might start by having a walk along to Chester-le-Street depot for some photos of stuff leaving, and then head along to the Front Street for some photos (as is now common practice) and just see where I end up. I've noticed the weather has been quite nice during the week, although the wind for the past couple of days hasn't been great. I intend to utilise the assistance of either Dan or citaro5284 in finding where 4926 is, given that it is on loan to Stanley. May just give a description of the outing as opposed to a full-on review. Hopefully will be a good outing.

(29 Jan 2016, 7:45 pm)Davie wrote 561 is parked up at Riverside.

(31 Jan 2016, 3:38 pm)Davie wrote Just a suggestion here, make of it what you will; why don't you go somewhere in the South Tyneside area or go around bashing some Arriva buses?

(31 Jan 2016, 3:48 pm)R852 PRG wrote I may do something like that in March, as I need some photos of stuff in South Shields and Jarrow. However, before that, I need to spend a day on an Arriva Day Ticket sorting out the Lowlanders in Durham before they are withdrawn. Ideally, I'd start early and head down to Darlington in the morning to get some rides and photos of the Frequenta Solos (which is something I've been putting off for a long time now, so the sooner it is out of the way, the better) and then return to Durham for around midday and start with the Lowlanders. The 46 to Crook and back was a nice journey that doesn't take too long and has a frequency of every 20 minutes, it seemed to be a haven for the Lowlanders so I will watch out for that. So much to do; so little time.

(31 Jan 2016, 4:11 pm)Davie wrote In the school holiday's, could you do a Northumberland day out?

(31 Jan 2016, 4:14 pm)R852 PRG wrote I've been intending to do something like that for a while, as I haven't been to Northumberland in a good few months. I'm in need of photos of the B7TL MAX Geminis as well as some of the recent Blyth repaints, but that may be on hold for a while. I've also got the 128 to keep in mind, as I'd like to get a photo of that on the day it's re-introduced in March. We'll just have to see how things play out.

(31 Jan 2016, 4:19 pm)Davie wrote Or you could try to get some photos of the Prince Bishops and Prontos for your archives.

(31 Jan 2016, 4:28 pm)R852 PRG wrote Getting photos of the Pronto B7s isn't really that hard, although I've now just had to take into account the arrival of the Streetdecks at some point and having to devote a day to getting shots and rides of them. Also, I've then got the 128 starting on Saturday 19th March, and the AD122's season commences the week after (I can possibly kill two birds with one stone here, if the Hexham Solos are in service by that point, and I intend to have a ride on the AD122 this time, I will review said outing!). Busy.

(31 Jan 2016, 4:32 pm)Davie wrote If you have a day where you'll have nothing to get, why don't you try bashing some Stagecoach services.

(31 Jan 2016, 4:39 pm)R852 PRG wrote Plausible, but my interests don't really lie with Stagecoach. I find it easiest to just Stagecoach as a means of getting around when I'm on an Explorer, rather than devote a day to them. I love the ALX300s, and the Hybrid E400s are fast when there is nothing stopping them, but that's about it.

(31 Jan 2016, 4:43 pm)Davie wrote If you like Cadet's, why don't you try to get Kingsley's 110 on the 33.

(31 Jan 2016, 4:52 pm)R852 PRG wrote Meh. Cadets are okay. I don't understand some comments about 110 being an example of Go North East's ''poor'' maintenance standards. Sitting in the yard doing nothing or trundling up to Hollywood Avenue from the city centre from time to time is hardly comparable to racing around Washington to a strict timetable, 6 days a week.

(31 Jan 2016, 4:52 pm)R852 PRG wrote Meh. Cadets are okay. I don't understand some comments about 110 being an example of Go North East's ''poor'' maintenance standards. Sitting in the yard doing nothing or trundling up to Hollywood Avenue from the city centre from time to time is hardly comparable to racing around Washington to a strict timetable, 6 days a week.

(31 Jan 2016, 4:57 pm)Davie wrote Given 110 was the last 52-reg Cadet (iirc) left to be withdrawn in GNE's fleet, it shows that GNE treated it well.

Another suggestion here, why don't you try to go Lolyne, Renown and (If any are out) Olympian bashing.

(31 Jan 2016, 4:59 pm)Jimmi wrote 110 seemed fine when I rode it from Regent Centre to Newcastle a few weeks back and it can't be that hard to keep on the road as it's been on the 33 almost everytime I've to Newcastle since it entered service with them and I'm regularly seeing photos of it on the 33 as well. Obviously the 33 is possibly less demanding than the services it was used on during its time with Go North East although it wasn't exactly been given an easy ride when I had it on the 33 as a result of running a few minutes late.

(31 Jan 2016, 5:00 pm)R852 PRG wrote I find it will be hard to bash Lolynes and Olympians, as they are now few in number, and it's rare to see Olympians out in service, although Lolynes still see frequent use. As I've demonstrated in my past couple of outings, I've managed to land a Lolyne or two, but that's basically it. I have been meaning to have a full-out Renown bash one day soon, I may do that in my week off in February or perhaps at Easter. We'll just have to see how things play out.

(31 Jan 2016, 5:03 pm)Davie wrote Or you could try Omnidekka bashing if you like them.

(31 Jan 2016, 5:05 pm)R852 PRG wrote I do love the OmniDekkas, so I may spend a day trying to get a few of them in at Easter. I think they sound and feel so powerful, possibly on par with an Olympian. I recall being told that the Scania N94UD engine is much like the Volvo B9TL.

(31 Jan 2016, 5:06 pm)Adrian wrote R852 PRG is at a lose end most weekends, so you both could probably meet up for an outing? OmniDekkas over West Durham on the express services maybe?

(31 Jan 2016, 5:04 pm)Dan wrote I think Davie has covered just about all possible suggestions now... 

(31 Jan 2016, 5:07 pm)R852 PRG wrote I'd rather shit in my hands and clap.

(31 Jan 2016, 5:06 pm)Dan wrote ZF4HP592 4-speed automatic - Marcus will be gettin' a reet sweat on!

(31 Jan 2016, 5:05 pm)R852 PRG wrote I do love the OmniDekkas, so I may spend a day trying to get a few of them in at Easter. I think they sound and feel so powerful, possibly on par with an Olympian. I recall being told that the Scania N94UD engine is much like the Volvo B9TL.