(02 Jul 2015, 9:40 pm)mb134 wrote Oh dear, if they're as flat as Blyth's, then the Enviro's will be better hands down, I prefer Ashington's 57-plates to Blyth's Geminis, as I've said on a number of occasions

Which Lowlanders, the Y-EBR batch, or the 57 plate batch? If they do come back to Ashington I hope they have a proper look at them before putting them into service...

i though it might be better that 2 57 reg lowlanders go to jesmond and 2 go to blyth and they 7445/7446 would transfer to ashington and 2 of blyths geminis then there is a bit of variation for the x20

it may not actually happen because i know jesmond use 7445/7446 on the 44 to morpeth

(03 Jul 2015, 12:40 pm)buss14 wrote i though it might be better that 2 57 reg lowlanders go to jesmond and 2 go to blyth and they 7445/7446 would transfer to ashington and 2 of blyths geminis then there is a bit of variation for the x20

it may not actually happen because i know jesmond use 7445/7446 on the 44 to morpeth

Don't think Arriva would do that, as there would be very little logic behind it, Ashington have never had the Gemini's for any real period of time, therefore drivers would need training, and I'd imagine so would mechanics. Variation would only be of any interest to enthusiasts.

Likewise, Blyth and Jesmond have never had those Lowlanders, unsure if they are any different to the Y-EBR batch mechanically

(03 Jul 2015, 1:05 pm)mb134 wrote Don't think Arriva would do that, as there would be very little logic behind it, Ashington have never had the Gemini's for any real period of time, therefore drivers would need training, and I'd imagine so would mechanics. Variation would only be of any interest to enthusiasts.

Likewise, Blyth and Jesmond have never had those Lowlanders, unsure if they are any different to the Y-EBR batch mechanically

it was just a thought but once i had a think about it your right. it is more likely that the 57 re lowlanders would move to ashington but it would be nice to see what they are like in max livery

(03 Jul 2015, 1:05 pm)mb134 wrote Likewise, Blyth and Jesmond have never had those Lowlanders, unsure if they are any different to the Y-EBR batch mechanically

They are, they have a 4 speed Voith gearbox compared to the Y-EBR batch which have a 3 speed Voith

Just something I've noticed recently, that I think I should put out there due to my scathing criticism of most of them in the past, this week I've had 7507 a few times on my travels, and I'm currently on 7506, both of which have flew on all of my journeys, and have performed better on the section of the route I use than I can ever remember. It looks like Ashington have done something with them, unsure what, but they are completely different to the slow heaps of junk I often labelled them as in the past, so credit to either the drivers, or Ashington mechanics...

(03 Jul 2015, 2:44 pm)mb134 wrote Just something I've noticed recently, that I think I should put out there due to my scathing criticism of most of them in the past, this week I've had 7507 a few times on my travels, and I'm currently on 7506, both of which have flew on all of my journeys, and have performed better on the section of the route I use than I can ever remember. It looks like Ashington have done something with them, unsure what, but they are completely different to the slow heaps of junk I often labelled them as in the past, so credit to either the drivers, or Ashington mechanics...

You can thank the mechanics.
The same happened with me on 7501 a few weeks ago it had its Econospeed turned off and absolutely flew. I think Ashington have turned there ones off, not sure about the 14 reg ones though.

The Solo repaints at Darlington continue and has moved onto the 11 reg Solos as 2866 has been treated.
Arriva North East: 2866 / YJ11 OJB by Jimmi's Bus Photos, on Flickr

---

As mentioned last night, many of Darlington's EcoCity's have now lost Arriva vinyls and "This bus runs on gas" taglines above the windows.
Arriva North East: 4808 / NK13 CFN by Jimmi's Bus Photos, on Flickr

(03 Jul 2015, 3:45 pm)Jimmi wrote The Solo repaints at Darlington continue and has moved onto the 11 reg Solos as 2866 has been treated.
Arriva North East: 2866 / YJ11 OJB by Jimmi's Bus Photos, on Flickr

---

As mentioned last night, many of Darlington's EcoCity's have now lost Arriva vinyls and "This bus runs on gas" taglines above the windows.
Arriva North East: 4808 / NK13 CFN by Jimmi's Bus Photos, on Flickr

I'm sure one of the 59 reg solos has lost its cream swoops on the side as well. Those EcoCitys will look good in the new livery I reckon.

(03 Jul 2015, 5:07 pm)MrPottski wrote I'm sure one of the 59 reg solos has lost its cream swoops on the side as well. Those EcoCitys will look good in the new livery I reckon.

I sure I saw a 59 reg Solo without the cream swoop this afternoon, can't remember which though.

I think it says 2855 has been repainted in the news section of this site.

(03 Jul 2015, 5:10 pm)Jimmi wrote I sure I saw a 59 reg Solo without the cream swoop this afternoon, can't remember which though.

I think it says 2855 has been repainted in the news section of this site.

how many buses are expected to go into this town branding?

2856 arrived in our yard this afternoon still with it's cowhorn... They need to hurry up with the repaints though

(03 Jul 2015, 5:10 pm)Jimmi wrote I sure I saw a 59 reg Solo without the cream swoop this afternoon, can't remember which though.

I think it says 2855 has been repainted in the news section of this site.

2853/4/9 have all lost the cream swoop

(03 Jul 2015, 12:14 pm)palatine3833 wrote Having done two round trips on the X12 this week, with 7619 and 7626 I can say that there is no issue with the buses that could affect timekeeping.  I ended up holding the bus at 40mph between Coxhoe and Sedgefield and then Sedgefield and Stockton and yet was still on time.  I think the issue lies with the drivers not being bothered about timekeeping, hoping that they can get knocked out of service etc.  7618 is the only Gemini which has a lack of power as it does struggle on the hill beside Shincliffe Village, but 7619/26/27 are flying machines.

Interesting points. If it is a discipline issue rather than mechanical, then Arriva really need to nip this in the bud asap.

7619 was one of the Geminis I thought felt flat, but maybe it wasn't being made to try on that occasion.

(03 Jul 2015, 10:14 pm)aureolin wrote Interesting points. If it is a discipline issue rather than mechanical, then Arriva really need to nip this in the bud asap.

7619 was one of the Geminis I thought felt flat, but maybe it wasn't being made to try on that occasion.

Same here, I had 7627 on the X12 to Newcastle the other week and I thought it was dreadfully slow, we were overtaken by a Lolyne on the X21 between Pity Me and Chester Moor and ended up arriving Newcastle over 5 minutes late, we did stop at a fair few stops because the X21 was late and someone asking if it went near the Cricket Ground. Perhaps the driver was giving it a slow ride on that journey.

I think there is a few other issues with timekeeping on the X12 with traffic being a major killer at times especially in Durham and Newcastle, Friday seems to be the worst day for it.

(03 Jul 2015, 10:14 pm)aureolin wrote Interesting points. If it is a discipline issue rather than mechanical, then Arriva really need to nip this in the bud asap.

7619 was one of the Geminis I thought felt flat, but maybe it wasn't being made to try on that occasion.

I don't think Arriva would nip it in the bud. Arriva aren't as hot on with punctuality as what GNE are and if any drivers from GNE are caught 'toading' just to get out of service or just quite grankly can't be bothered, then they get summonsed for a day on a training coach. And whereas with Arriva if the bus comes in late, they just send out a new bus and driver to time correct the service but the controllers at Bensham are hot on. I've been on 2 GNE services where the drivers have been contacted by control when running more than 10 minutes late (not through their own fault though), but it proves a point.

Wi-Fi on 7402 and 7486 is not working. The former gives an error message when trying to sign in, and the latter does not manage to push through a sign in page at all.

New Darlington town livery displayed this morning on 2843, out on the 4. Get ready, for Frequenta!

On Tuesday/Wednesday evening just gone I passed Jesmond's Pulsar 1496 (NK61CZL) on the A69 near Low Row with 'Engineering Bus on Test' displayed on the blinds with someone in orange overalls (guessing a fitter) stood at the front next to the driver.

I think going to Carlisle and back is a bit OTT for a bus going on a test run!!

(04 Jul 2015, 10:02 am)northern156 wrote On Tuesday/Wednesday evening just gone I passed Jesmond's Pulsar 1496 (NK61CZL) on the A69 near Low Row with 'Engineering Bus on Test' displayed on the blinds with someone in orange overalls (guessing a fitter) stood at the front next to the driver.

I think going to Carlisle and back is a bit OTT for a bus going on a test run!!

I wonder where they got that idea from.....

(04 Jul 2015, 10:01 am)MrPottski wrote New Darlington town livery displayed this morning on 2843, out on the 4. Get ready, for Frequenta!

It looks a little plain to say the least. Should be rolled out to other depots soon

(04 Jul 2015, 10:01 am)MrPottski wrote New Darlington town livery displayed this morning on 2843, out on the 4. Get ready, for Frequenta!

Have you got a rough idea of when it should be back in the town centre between 3pm and 5pm - assuming it isn't replaced?

does anyone know why half of ashington and blyths mpds got wifi

(04 Jul 2015, 10:52 am)buss14 wrote does anyone know why half of ashington and blyths mpds got wifi

For the 33/57A/X14.

(04 Jul 2015, 10:50 am)Dan wrote Have you got a rough idea of when it should be back in the town centre between 3pm and 5pm - assuming it isn't replaced?

It's only a 40 min round trip so you won't be waiting long

(04 Jul 2015, 11:09 am)tyresmoke wrote It's only a 40 min round trip so you won't be waiting long

You know I am not one of these hang around types..!

(04 Jul 2015, 11:14 am)Dan wrote You know I am not one of these hang around types..!

You never who you may bump into you in Darlington in that time

You could go and stand on North Road, then you'll see it either coming in, or going out. Corner of corporation road will be a good spot, outside the Odeon

(04 Jul 2015, 10:02 am)northern156 wrote On Tuesday/Wednesday evening just gone I passed Jesmond's Pulsar 1496 (NK61CZL) on the A69 near Low Row with 'Engineering Bus on Test' displayed on the blinds with someone in orange overalls (guessing a fitter) stood at the front next to the driver.

I think going to Carlisle and back is a bit OTT for a bus going on a test run!!

Could be a prisoner on day release.

Expect delays to services 6 & 7 between today and July 10 as the temporary traffic lights are back at Sunderland Bridge (The Honest Lawyer).

May be wrong but I think 2843 has been removed from service 4.