(13 Nov 2013, 7:40 am)CatsFast101 wrote To X30/X31 aren't they?

Not sure, i can't remember what was said (to early haha) but sounds about right. =)

You're welcome

Go North East confirmed earlier this year on their Facebook page that they were looking at an upgrade for services X30/X31, as the current vehicles are not suitable (pushchair/wheelchair bays). I wonder if they're to be repainted Northern and go there?

Thanks - Forgot about the X30/X31 - how many does it require PVR?

(13 Nov 2013, 7:41 am)Michael wrote Thanks - Forgot about the X30/X31 - how many does it require PVR?

The PVR of the X30/X31 is 5, and the PVR of the X70/X71 is 4.

(13 Nov 2013, 7:47 am)Dan wrote The PVR of the X30/X31 is 5, and the PVR of the X70/X71 is 4.

Maybe all of them + the ones for the 9 could move their and the 9 just use spares? - only because it seems to be all B10's lately.

(13 Nov 2013, 7:49 am)Michael wrote Maybe all of them + the ones for the 9 could move their and the 9 just use spares? - only because it seems to be all B10's lately.

You'll notice that the X30/X31 has primarily been allocated Plaxton President bodied Dennis Tridents 3886, 3887, 3888 and 3889 as of late, having been transferred from Chester-le-Street not so long ago. I understand this is after a number of complaints regarding the Volvo B7TL variety of Plaxton Presidents as well as the East Lancs Lolyne variety of Dennis Tridents. 3886, 3887, 3888 and 3889 all have two bays for both wheelchair users as well as pushchairs - they are therefore more suitable for the current service role.

I believe at present the only plans in place are for the X30/X31 to receive an upgrade. It would then leave 3886-89 to be allocated to services X70/X71. As we all know though, plans can change... I imagine Stanley aren't too happy about receiving the Omnicitys back again given their rather poor reliability, and we've also got to look at the possibility of the 9's PVR increasing to 7 from 4.

Whilst the Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents are indeed DDA-compliant, they are admittedly not suitable for a public service role. It is therefore why Go North East are trying to have those vehicles in a "back seat role" (as previously discussed) and perhaps limited to scholars and the like only. They should become the new Olympians, only being allocated to public service roles if/when necessary.

Has anyone been on a drifter Streetlite with working next stop announcements?

(13 Nov 2013, 8:27 am)CatsFast101 wrote Has anyone been on a drifter Streetlite with working next stop announcements?

They're not working on any buses just yet.

Heard on Sun FM that one of their DJs have recorded the Next Stop Announcements for the Drifter.

(13 Nov 2013, 1:57 pm)Dan wrote Heard on Sun FM that one of their DJs have recorded the Next Stop Announcements for the Drifter.

They are indeed by sunfm, one bus I was on has had 'Drifter Service 60 to Sunderland' displayed but no announcements other have just had on 'Hanover Display'.

PB0003954/588 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Registration Accepted by SN
Starting Point: NEWCASTLE HAYMARKET BUS STATION
Finish Point: DINNINGTON, MASONS ARMS
Via:
Service Number: 44
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 26-DEC-2013
Other Details: BOXING DAY ONLY

(13 Nov 2013, 4:49 pm)Michael wrote PB0003954/588 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Registration Accepted by SN
Starting Point: NEWCASTLE HAYMARKET BUS STATION
Finish Point: DINNINGTON, MASONS ARMS
Via:
Service Number: 44
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 26-DEC-2013
Other Details: BOXING DAY ONLY

I think i'll go out for The Boxing Day Allocations This Year, As I didn't Last Year.

(13 Nov 2013, 4:50 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote I think i'll go out for The Boxing Day Allocations This Year, As I didn't Last Year.

It'll be the last year where it will be so interesting!
Riverside will remain open on Boxing Day and with Deptford receiving new B9s, I'd like to think that the Red Arrows would receive B9s from Deptford instead.

(13 Nov 2013, 5:00 pm)Dan wrote It'll be the last year where it will be so interesting!
Riverside will remain open on Boxing Day and with Deptford receiving new B9s, I'd like to think that the Red Arrows would receive B9s from Deptford instead.

Riverside?

Wonder if most of the services will be ran by deckers this year?

(13 Nov 2013, 5:04 pm)Michael wrote Riverside?

Wonder if most of the services will be ran by deckers this year?

The new depot - Gateshead and Winlaton.

(13 Nov 2013, 5:00 pm)Dan wrote It'll be the last year where it will be so interesting!
Riverside will remain open on Boxing Day and with Deptford receiving new B9s, I'd like to think that the Red Arrows would receive B9s from Deptford instead.

If they are in Service by then of course, I have a feeling the B9's may not enter Service until mid January at the Latest as they due to Arrive in December at somepoint, Plus the fact there is 34 of them which makes the chances of this happening even more Unlikely I think, But fingers crossed this won't be the case.

(13 Nov 2013, 5:11 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote If they are in Service by then of course, I have a feeling the B9's may not enter Service until mid January at the Latest as they due to Arrive in December at somepoint, Plus the fact there is 34 of them which makes the chances of this happening even more Unlikely I think, But fingers crossed this won't be the case.

Regarding Riverside and Deptford's B9s - I was meaning that should happen next year, so it'll be less interesting. Seeing a Solar on the X1 is a little bit more interesting than another Gemini!

(13 Nov 2013, 5:13 pm)Dan wrote Regarding Riverside and Deptford's B9s - I was meaning that should happen next year, so it'll be less interesting. Seeing a Solar on the X1 is a little bit more interesting than another Gemini!

How could i of forgot about the new depot, has anyone got pictures of the progress, last post on Skyscraper city was on 12/08/13 - that was pictures.

Thanks

(13 Nov 2013, 5:07 pm)Dan wrote The new depot - Gateshead and Winlaton.

The new depot will be in the hands of GNE in December, where the first lot of staff will move in (office staff/training school) and the rest at the end of January or beginning of February.

(13 Nov 2013, 5:15 pm)Michael wrote How could i of forgot about the new depot, has anyone got pictures of the progress, last post on Skyscraper city was on 12/08/13 - that was pictures.

Thanks

Photos @ LVNW, as at November 6th 2013.

(13 Nov 2013, 5:25 pm)Dan wrote



Photos @ LVNW, as at November 6th 2013.

Thanks =D, look's like it's going well.

Wonder if GNE will build a 2nd super depot in the future.

I had a thought on this, and I think GNE should merge Washington and Saltmeadows at Follingsby Park if there enough room down that way.

(13 Nov 2013, 5:13 pm)Dan wrote Regarding Riverside and Deptford's B9s - I was meaning that should happen next year, so it'll be less interesting. Seeing a Solar on the X1 is a little bit more interesting than another Gemini!

I think it'll still be Interesting Next Year depending on what Fleet Changes there is, I do see where your coming from with the Riverside Depot as you'd expect normal allocations across all Services, What is Deptfords allocations like on Boxing Day other Operating Washington and Possibly Peterlees Services are they all Normal or are they all mixed up.

(13 Nov 2013, 6:14 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote I think it'll still be Interesting Next Year depending on what Fleet Changes there is, I do see where your coming from with the Riverside Depot as you'd expect normal allocations across all Services, What is Deptfords allocations like on Boxing Day other Operating Washington and Possibly Peterlees Services are they all Normal or are they all mixed up.

Deptford's allocation for their own services is normal, as with all other depots that are open.
Their allocation for services that aren't usually operated by Deptford are the odd ones - Deptford operated the 9 last year with "SimpliCity" branded Versas iirc.
We had Solars going to Washington for the M1/X1...

Can't really remember any others though. Details will be finalised on 18th Nov in regards to which services are going to operate.

(13 Nov 2013, 6:23 pm)Dan wrote Deptford's allocation for their own services is normal, as with all other depots that are open.
Their allocation for services that aren't usually operated by Deptford are the odd ones - Deptford operated the 9 last year with "SimpliCity" branded Versas iirc.
We had Solars going to Washington for the M1/X1...

Can't really remember any others though. Details will be finalised on 18th Nov in regards to which services are going to operate.

There are normally Solars on the Percy Main operated services - A few Highwaymans on 1 and they had Renowns and 4949 on the 309/310.

(13 Nov 2013, 5:48 pm)Michael wrote Thanks =D, look's like it's going well.

Wonder if GNE will build a 2nd super depot in the future.

This is the second super depot. The first was Deptford.

(13 Nov 2013, 6:27 pm)Tom wrote There are normally Solars on the Percy Main operated services - A few Highwaymans on 1 and they had Renowns and 4949 on the 309/310.

Gateshead, Chester and Deptford are only depots that are open on a Boxing Day.

I passed the new depot today en route for my booze cruise to Costco.

The outer area has all been paved over now. Looks mainly like touching up and external services getting connected. It's a hideous building but hardly in an area of environmental beauty.

Winlaton depot demolition got the approval it needed

(13 Nov 2013, 6:59 pm)gtomlinson wrote I passed the new depot today en route for my booze cruise to Costco.

The outer area has all been paved over now. Looks mainly like touching up and external services getting connected. It's a hideous building but hardly in an area of environmental beauty.

Winlaton depot demolition got the approval it needed

Shame they knocking it down but it has to be done.

Once the new depot is open will the 67/69 move to the Riverside depot?

Has any one had the confirmed moves for which route will move away from the new depot and which ones they will gain?

(13 Nov 2013, 7:02 pm)Michael wrote Shame they knocking it down but it has to be done.

Once the new depot is open will the 67/69 move to the Riverside depot?

Has any one had the confirmed moves for which route will move away from the new depot and which ones they will gain?

67/69, 353, X40 and S1 will be operated from Riverside Depot, with no existing Winlaton/Gateshead routes being lost.

Thanks =D, seems a good idea moving the coach's over their to, bigger space and will give Chester-le-street more room in their depot.

so when it opens it should have around 170 buses?, please tell me if i'm wrong, That's alot of transfers haha. - not sure on what the limit the new depot will have.

I'm hoping it will stand for 2-3 weeks emptyish for drivers to have a look around and get used to the place before transfers start.

Are the certain brand's gonna have their own allocated area of the depot?

(13 Nov 2013, 7:23 pm)Rob wrote 2 depots merging into one, with the coaching unit moving over to the new depot also. Saltmeadows are to keep hold of the routes they currently run, obviously the X40 and S1 will be based at the new depot also.

I am under the impression that Saltmeadows depot are due to gain fuel storage and wash facilities to avoid a daily visit to the new depot.

I don't think that the National Express operation will be moving to the new depot