Well, as 2017 approaches its end, there's a new rally season ahead - and for many, the first truly North East-based event is the Annual Teesside Running Day.

The 2018 event is currently pencilled in for Sunday 22nd April.

As with previous years, the main 'hub' will be the South Side of the Transport Bridge (the Middlesbrough side) with buses running to the Bus Station and Stockton amongst other destinations.

After the shortage of Group vehicles at the 2017 event, it is expected that at least 2 will be in attendance at the 2018 one - H106 for its fourth appearance and 99 making a welcoming return after missing the 2017 season due to mechanical issues. There, may, however be a surprise appearance - more on that closer to the time

Did the 500 group purchase 21037 from Stagecoach for Preservation?

(31 Dec 2017, 2:28 pm)S830OFT wrote Did the 500 group purchase 21037 from Stagecoach for Preservation?

It was sold to a private buyer who has links to the group .
But it is in no way ready for any preservation debut.

(31 Dec 2017, 2:00 pm)Kuyoyo wrote There, may, however be a surprise appearance - more on that closer to the time

Worst secret keeper ever!

Don't forget this is next Sunday.

At this present time, 23 preserved vehicles are booked to attend. As with the last two years, six routes will be operated.

Further to my original post, the surprise appearance I hinted at was to be the appearance of our Leyland PD2 H240 (JVN 40E) which made its first public appearance at the Stockton depot open day last Sunday. However, it is unlikely to put in an appearance, leaving H106 and 99 to represent the Group. This is likely to be the last Running Day to feature just two of the Group's fleet.

Really good day out this is, if anybody hasn't been before. The weather has been perfect for the last two of them as well, so lets hope for more of the same next weekend!

(15 Apr 2018, 12:30 pm)Adrian wrote Really good day out this is, if anybody hasn't been before. The weather has been perfect for the last two of them as well, so lets hope for more of the same next weekend!

Aye. It was pleasant last weekend also, as it was during today. Would be annoying if it were to rain. I've a real first-world problem of predicting the weather to pick a suitable camera 

Will be watching with a close eye...

Go North East should be in attendance tomorrow with an X10 and Angel branded double-deck.

Had been intended to bring the Yutong demo instead of the Angel, but there wasn't any drivers available willing to go to Riverside.

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Don’t forget this takes place tomorrow!

23 vehicles are currently expected to be in attendance and use - including our own H106 and 98. Also expected is former OK Motor Services LFT5X - the example due to attend 2 years ago but had to drop out at the last minute.

This has been posted on the Busesnortheast group on Facebook with the routes.

Its the Teesside 500 Group Classic Bus Running Day tomorrow (22nd April)

Everything is now in place and we will be at the Tees Transporter Bridge from 10.00

We now have 25 confirmed buses and coaches

We have Eight routes:

‘O’ Transporter – Middlesbrough BS – Stockton HS – Norton Green
11 Transport – Middlesbrough BS – Thornaby –Stockton High St (‘he Back Ack’)
42 Transporter – Middlesbrough BS – Newport Bridge – Billingham Green – Noron Green – Stockton HS
47 Transporter – Middlesbrough BS – Thornaby– Stockton HS – Yarm TH
92 Transporter – South Bank – Eston – Transporter – (circular)
212 Transporter –Stockton HS – Norton –Billingham (Circular)
X19 Transporter Stockton HS (via A66) – Yarm –A19 – Transporter (Circular)

The Country Bus tour – Transporter – Great Ayton Green – Stokesley HS – A19 – Transporter

We have a good selection of North East buses and coaches for your delight as well as entries from West Yorkshire, Lancashire- Cumberland and Scotland and of course the OK Tiger

All this is FREE to ride, Donations can be accepted

Please come along – let your children ride a double deck bus – a rare treat on Teesside these days

our Registered Charity Number 1175569


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IAlways a great day, a model for other  bus events. Would highly recommend to anyone who hasn’t been yet. Worth arriving early and getting a programme to plan your day using the well planned timetables and  vehicle guide.

Anyone know what time the first shuttle bus arrives at the Transporter for, tomorrow?

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Going off past years it's usually around 11.

First shuttle bus from the Transporter will be leaving at 11.
First departure from Stockton is scheduled for 10.45
Last departure from the Transporter will be the usual 17.00
As it stands, the last 212 journey is expected back at the Transporter at 1706 (presently set to be Metrobus 3501), while the last 42 is due back at 1709 (N703LTN)

The starting times are from posts on our Facebook Group ‘The Teesside 500 Group’. The aforementioned last journeys and allocated vehicles are from internal emails between the volunteers and, as always with this event, the vehicles are subject to available on the day.

I shall be in my usual role of inspector/dispatcher at the Transporter until half 1. Programmes, as usual, will be on sale on this year’s Control Vehicle - newly converted Stagecoach MAN Trainer 22074.

As it stands, the sun is shining so here’s hoping it stays that way and everyone enjoys what is usually the highlight of the North East Rally Season.

Dan, you absolute star!

Good deed of the day done!

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Good day there as always, thanks to Dan for this morning, saved about an hour there.

Photos linked below with a few extra thrown in.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ten6083/shares/L79MH9


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Enjoyable day as always. This is easily the premier bus rally in the region.

Also, a big shout-out to BridgeNorth. It can't be cheap (or easy) bringing the Transporter Bridge back from Arizona to provide the backdrop to the 500 Group Running Day, but they manage to do so on a yearly basis.

(22 Apr 2018, 7:02 pm)MurdnunoC wrote  
Enjoyable day as always. This is easily the premier bus rally in the region.

Also, a big shout-out to BridgeNorth. It can't be cheap (or easy) bringing the Transporter Bridge back from Arizona to provide the backdrop to the 500 Group Running Day, but they manage to do so on a yearly basis.

Wonder how many of the youngun's are thinking wtf is he talking about in regards to the auf wiedersehen pet reference 

My pleasure!

Apologies it wasn't a bit better planned...

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One I missed again this year unfortunately, despite telling myself last year that I must keep the day free so I could attend! 

The nice weather meant the weekend was spent in Scarborough, and with a cat to take care of meant we couldn't just slip off the A19 to pay visit on the way home this afternoon.

Been a half decent day, though I was going to skip the event this year, I managed to convince myself to go. But I mainly kept to myself all day today.

Anyway photos of vehicles involved at the running day from today can be found in this album - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...8101954168

Preserved stuff added, still got to add stuff from Indys and the NE Big 3.