(12 Sep 2015, 9:57 am)DanPicken wrote 1774 has failed in Gosforth.

(11 Sep 2015, 9:34 pm)buss14 wrote well i think to make it more attractive they should make more trains stop at alnmouth because uses stopping there during the day is pointless

(12 Sep 2015, 2:12 pm)Jimmi wrote Driver on this service 5, I'd quite like to get home, get off the bloody phone to whoever the hell Molly is and get a flaming shift on, currently running over 10 minutes late due to this drivers phone calls.

This is the third time this week the 5/5A has been late as a result of drivers faffing around not keeping to the timetable for no good reason.

It's pathetic Arriva, at least I now know another reason why this service is always late. SORT IT OUT! [emoji35]

(12 Sep 2015, 2:26 pm)GX03 SVC wrote Molly could be the supervisor...?

Posting that here, as stated before won't get you anywhere.

(12 Sep 2015, 6:20 pm)Mark wrote Stockton are sending a number of their Cadets to Thorntons for DDA modifications. So far only 1920 has gone there due to Thorntons being kept busy with other work. Some of the Cadets due to be withdrawn are remaining in fleet as temporary cover until the others return and are ready for service again.

1905 was withdrawn last week. 1910 & 1911 are the most recent to be listed for disposal, but 1468 has arrived at Stockton and is not ready for service yet, while 1467 is still in service at Durham.

(13 Sep 2015, 10:48 am)MurdnunoC wrote 1505 currently being towed back to Jesmond by Alpha Recovery. It has a smashed front window.

(13 Sep 2015, 8:12 pm)Tom wrote Never been on a E400 recently but the X18 examples were fantastic when I had one on the X18 - but the NHS Solo on the X16 yesterday was shocking.

(13 Sep 2015, 8:05 pm)mb134 wrote My X18 down from Berwick today was operated by 7514, (chose to put this in this thread instead of outings, hopefully it'll become clear why),

After having 7515 two weeks ago, and having been thoroughly disappointed, I wasn't looking forward to three and a half hours on 7514 when it pulled around the corner, I couldn't have been more wrong 

It absolutely flew down the A1, and then on the A roads from Belford for the rest of the journey. It seemed to have an abundance of power, catching up with cars on the road to Craster, and handling every hill with ease. 

Absolutely fantastic vehicle, and it got me thinking, this bus is 6 years old now, and performance wise seemed practically brand new, couldn't tell much difference between it and one of 7529-33, are these E400's far better buses than most people give them credit for? (myself included)

I seem to recall being on a Y-EBR Lowlander when it would've been around 6, it was dreadful. 

Now I know there are bad examples (7515 was nowhere near as good), but on the whole the 09 plate batch, and most of the 57-plates I've been on recently haven't been that bad (7502 is the only horrific example),

What does everyone else think?

(13 Sep 2015, 8:13 pm)Jimmi wrote I recently drew the short straw on the X21 and got lumbered with 7504, I thought it performed reasonably well, my only problem with it was the panel at the front upstairs where the LED screen is and I had to press my legs/feet against the panel to stop it rattling. Other than that it was fine.

Not had any of 7514-7521 since they left Darlington apart from 7518 on the 35/35A from Ashington to Morpeth which I think was alright, might sample 7519-7521 when they enter service on the 6.

(13 Sep 2015, 8:17 pm)mb134 wrote Aye, I know what you mean, that was the only issue with 7514, that board rattled like hell, although I had my headphones on so it didn't really bother me 

I had 7507 last week and that felt very powerful, 

I think 7521 was good the last time I was on it, can't remember my last ride on 19 or 20

(14 Sep 2015, 11:31 am)MrFozz wrote Just seen an EDC1 heading to Peterlee from Easington Lane way...

Is that a College only or is all passengers welcome

(14 Sep 2015, 11:51 am)tyresmoke wrote College use only I believe. Runs from Houghton-le-Spring, we run an ED2 from Blaydon via Stanley and Consett too

(14 Sep 2015, 3:55 pm)RobinHood wrote A quick check on VOSA suggests it isn't registered, so there is no timetable that needs to be adhered to.

Likelihood is that it doesn't take fares, which is why its not on VOSA.

(14 Sep 2015, 3:56 pm)buss14 wrote is tomorrow the launch day for the 6 going sapphire