(12 Jan 2017, 9:00 pm)Andreos1 wrote There was chat somewhere (can't find it despite looking) about the spare Gemini's at Chester having a bit of a tart up.

It's a shame they didn't get to finish off 3963. Apart from the back row of seats that are in a new moquette, the rest of the downstairs saloon are minging.

Hopefully the two attached photos show the seats in their full glory.

The backwards facing seats always seem to be more to dirt and wear and tear due to people putting their feet on the seats. That said I can imagine that the rest of the seats in 3943 not being so fresh.

(12 Jan 2017, 9:12 pm)Jimmi wrote The backwards facing seats always seem to be more to dirt and wear and tear due to people putting their feet on the seats. That said I can imagine that the rest of the seats in 3943 not being so fresh.

The base of the rear facing seats were mucky, but the backs were too. Ditto the other downstairs seats. The decision to sit where I did (on blue seats, rather than whatever colour the others are), was a deliberate one. 

I haven't been on 3943 for a good while to be honest. Can't remember what they were like last time I was on it.

(12 Jan 2017, 9:22 pm)Andreos1 wrote The base of the rear facing seats were mucky, but the backs were too. Ditto the other downstairs seats. The decision to sit where I did (on blue seats, rather than whatever colour the others are), was a deliberate one. 

I haven't been on 3943 for a good while to be honest. Can't remember what they were like last time I was on it.

3965 looks pretty decent now. I'm guessing it's the first tart up its had since it was on the 724. On a side the old swipey yellow and red made the Geminis look fantastic like.

I caught one of the Omnishambles back on the 21 (17.50) out of Eldon Square, an absolute dirty squeaking mess. I know they were pressed into service without a planned tart up but they really are rank inside, which is a shame as if you lost the squeak, a nice ride really but I believe the 21 would kill them off sharpish.

(12 Jan 2017, 4:31 pm)HJamie M wrote 6143 has now been branded. It looks rather bland, to be honest. Couldn't see exactly what it was for.

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Had a quick look as I passed 6143, and close up it looks canny imo, it's advertising the writes.

(12 Jan 2017, 9:52 pm)GX03 wrote Had a quick look as I passed 6143, and close up it looks canny imo, it's advertising the writes.

Any photo's?

(12 Jan 2017, 9:50 pm)Ambassador wrote 3965 looks pretty decent now. I'm guessing it's the first tart up its had since it was on the 724. On a side the old swipey yellow and red made the Geminis look fantastic like.

I caught one of the Omnishambles back on the 21 (17.50) out of Eldon Square, an absolute dirty squeaking mess. I know they were pressed into service without a planned tart up but they really are rank inside, which is a shame as if you lost the squeak, a nice ride really but I believe the 21 would kill them off sharpish.

It will be about 18 months since I had a ride on that. The smell of stale dishcloths has stood with me all this time.

I'm glad a vehicle on such a prestigious route has (eventually) had something done to it. Will keep my eyes open for it and try and get it (as with Washington's example, I always struggle to get it and usually end up on a branded vehicle or ex-London President).

(12 Jan 2017, 9:50 pm)Ambassador wrote 3965 looks pretty decent now. I'm guessing it's the first tart up its had since it was on the 724. On a side the old swipey yellow and red made the Geminis look fantastic like.

I caught one of the Omnishambles back on the 21 (17.50) out of Eldon Square, an absolute dirty squeaking mess. I know they were pressed into service without a planned tart up but they really are rank inside, which is a shame as if you lost the squeak, a nice ride really but I believe the 21 would kill them off sharpish.

The interior in 6134 is appalling.

6047 has broken down at Gateshead Int, towards Eldon.

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Durham Diamond 5442 and 5443 are at Stanley

(13 Jan 2017, 2:09 pm)Ds1197 wrote Durham Diamond 5442 and 5443 are at Stanley

Those 2 entered service on Monday before being joined by 5444 yesterday.

(13 Jan 2017, 3:59 pm)S813 FVK wrote Those 2 entered service on Monday before being joined by 5444 yesterday.

I was letting people know incase they wanted a ride on one

(Go North East) YN04GKA / 6143 - Scania Omnidekka / N94UD by Jamie MP, on Flickr
This is 6143's branding. It's a low quality picture, but I do think it's a little uninspiring. I couldn't even tell what it was for as it went right past my face!

(13 Jan 2017, 4:18 pm)Jamie M wrote (Go North East) YN04GKA / 6143 - Scania Omnidekka / N94UD by Jamie MP, on Flickr
This is 6143's branding. It's a low quality picture, but I do think it's a little uninspiring. I couldn't even tell what it was for as it went right past my face!

I like the larger logo above the cab window, hopefully these replace the small old logos on 'decker repaints. Some repainted omni's have the logo below the window, some above.

(13 Jan 2017, 4:18 pm)Jamie M wrote (Go North East) YN04GKA / 6143 - Scania Omnidekka / N94UD by Jamie MP, on Flickr
This is 6143's branding. It's a low quality picture, but I do think it's a little uninspiring. I couldn't even tell what it was for as it went right past my face!

It's all to do with the pitman poet, Tommy Armstrong . If I remember correctly there was a competition to write poems. It does look canny when it's clean. (Sorry I don't take pics)

forgot to mention that 09:30 this morning there was a broken down maroon solo parked up at the side at Littlethorpe with engineers with back engine door open, engineers arrived with a red solar.

Clearer pictures of 'Northern Writes' liveried 6143 (YN04 GKA):

rear: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nebp2/3147...otostream/
nearside: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nebp2/3147...otostream/
offside: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nebp2/3216...otostream/

(13 Jan 2017, 9:05 pm)S813 FVK wrote Clearer pictures of 'Northern Writes' liveried 6143 (YN04 GKA):

rear: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nebp2/3147...otostream/
nearside: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nebp2/3147...otostream/
offside: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nebp2/3216...otostream/

Don't like it.

(13 Jan 2017, 9:05 pm)S813 FVK wrote Clearer pictures of 'Northern Writes' liveried 6143 (YN04 GKA):

rear: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nebp2/3147...otostream/
nearside: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nebp2/3147...otostream/
offside: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nebp2/3216...otostream/

It's a lovely idea, but the execution is a bit weak. I think the notes with the poems on would have looked a lot better and more striking against some sort of coloured background, rather than (constantly dirty) white.

(13 Jan 2017, 9:56 pm)BusLoverMum wrote It's a lovely idea, but the execution is a bit weak. I think the notes with the poems on would have looked a lot better and more striking against some sort of coloured background, rather than (constantly dirty) white.

Yellow text on pink and light blue backgrounds!

I honestly think the execution is poor until the advert makes sense to even the uninformed.

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5273 was seen broken down in wrekenton earlier and according to a driver it was the same fault which made it break down last night too

(13 Jan 2017, 9:13 pm)Michael wrote Don't like it.

(13 Jan 2017, 10:14 pm)Jamie M wrote Yellow text on pink and light blue backgrounds!

I honestly think the execution is poor until the advert makes sense to even the uninformed.

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But the whole point of an advert is to inform the uninformed?

[quote uid=11 name="Michael" post=190825 timestamp=1484342010]Don't like it.[/quote]

Andreos1 wrote.

Got me laughing there like!

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(13 Jan 2017, 10:34 pm)S813 FVK wrote But the whole point of an advert is to inform the uninformed?

Yes - this advert doesn't to me. I have to carefully study a clear photograph or find it parked to get the point.

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BusLoverMumIt's a lovely idea, but the execution is a bit weak. I think the notes with the poems on would have looked a lot better and more striking against some sort of coloured background, rather than (constantly dirty) white.

Totally agree.

Not sure about the alternative colours, but I dont think white works. The size of the font doesnt lend itself to being easy to read either - based on these photos.

Two questions:


Is the theme repeated inside? A missed opportunity if it isn't.

The female passenger sitting upstairs in the shot of it leaving Haymarket - why isn't she sitting at the front? What a wasted opportunity...

(13 Jan 2017, 10:41 pm)Andreos1 wrote BusLoverMumIt's a lovely idea, but the execution is a bit weak. I think the notes with the poems on would have looked a lot better and more striking against some sort of coloured background, rather than (constantly dirty) white.

Totally agree.

Not sure about the alternative colours, but I dont think white works. The size of the font doesnt lend itself to being easy to read either - based on these photos.

Two questions:


Is the theme repeated inside? A missed opportunity if it isn't.

The female passenger sitting upstairs in the shot of it leaving Haymarket - why isn't she sitting at the front? What a wasted opportunity...

I never sit at the front, if i can help it - need to stretch my legs out in front of me.

I would also say that it was more of a commemorative livery, much like 4949, as opposed to an advert as such. The only thing that it seems to be actually advertising is a twitter account.

(13 Jan 2017, 11:22 pm)S813 FVK wrote I would also say that it was more of a commemorative livery, much like 4949, as opposed to an advert as such. The only thing that it seems to be actually advertising is a twitter account.

Poppies are clearly a commemorative object, though. You see a poppy and you think of war, and that's a multinational protocol. Some text which you have to actually stop and take time out of your day to notice hasn't got the same touch to it, in my opinion. As said by BLM (I think..), it's a great concept but poorly executed. White background with cream foreground isn't bold and striking - huge red poppies with a picture of a solider at the back on a white background is, if you get what I'm saying. They are only comparable because 4949 is the standard 6143 should be at, but I don't think is.

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To be honest, if they continue with the Poppy Bus I feel they should choose another vehicle for it instead, perhaps a Double Decker for greater impact.

If you google Northern Writes you'll get some idea of what it's all about, maybe Jamie m you'll get some understanding of what the livery is all about and why 6143 was sent to Stanley and not any other depot. I personally don't think the overall scheme would work on any other colour than white and unfortunately white shows up very dirty.

(13 Jan 2017, 11:57 pm)Jamie M wrote Poppies are clearly a commemorative object, though. You see a poppy and you think of war, and that's a multinational protocol. Some text which you have to actually stop and take time out of your day to notice hasn't got the same touch to it, in my opinion. As said by BLM (I think..), it's a great concept but poorly executed. White background with cream foreground isn't bold and striking - huge red poppies with a picture of a solider at the back on a white background is, if you get what I'm saying. They are only comparable because 4949 is the standard 6143 should be at, but I don't think is.

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To create any understanding of the livery, i think its your responsibility to go and find out yourself (and that goes to anybody who doesn't know) - especially as i would say that it is good to have as much local knowledge as possible. I wouldn't say it is the responsibility of the bus as it isn't an advert and, therefore, does not need to take seconds to read.

The small poems on the side are the work of pitman poet Tommy Armstrong himself and also some of the primary and secondary schools in and around Stanley. A poem certainly should not take so little time to read that you don't need to stop.

As GX03 said, it explains why 6132 went to Percy Main instead of 6143. A bus involving a pitman poet and Stanley operating in an area more associated with the shipping industry wouldn't quite work, would it?