(17 Dec 2013, 7:27 pm)Michael wrote Which will be rubbish like the last one.

Expect it'll be a cheap temporary job like the old X9/X10 was before its new buses arrived (the last livery the B7s wore)

(17 Dec 2013, 7:27 pm)Dan wrote The vehicles are certainly due a repaint, and the brand itself is certainly due for a little touch up... It must have been 2008/09 when it was first introduced?
I have noticed one Solar has been VOR for the past week or so - perhaps a sign that these vehicles are now struggling and would be better to put them on less demanding routes.

Going from mine and your idea on the 9, what would u brand the Omni's for the 9.

Ye i noticed this on the FAB 56 scanias to, think the 56 got new buses at the right time.

The fast cats does need a fresh up, wonder how much of a change it would be, hopefully they keep the cats.

(17 Dec 2013, 7:21 pm)Michael wrote I like the fast cats brand, its different but think its time for an upgrade.

Time for Fast Cats brand to be killed off.

Northern buses should be used, as the service is only every 30 mins with no Eve/Sun service. Keep Scanias on it, but use 4926 to 4931.

Remember that GNE have stated over the last year that only routes that run every 15 mins or better would be branded, and all others would join Northern brand when they come up for repaint/replacement.

(17 Dec 2013, 7:32 pm)Michael wrote Going from mine and your idea on the 9, what would u brand the Omni's for the 9.

Ye i noticed this on the FAB 56 scanias to, think the 56 got new buses at the right time.

The fast cats does need a fresh up, wonder how much of a change it would be, hopefully they keep the cats.

I believe (but could be wrong) the Omnicity vehicles on the 9 were down to be branded last time there was a consultation for the service, so it would make sense to carry on that plan from before.
Whatever their livery design may be, I do think it will be on a red base livery (as they carry presently), if not generic Go North East.

(17 Dec 2013, 7:36 pm)Dan wrote I believe (but could be wrong) the Omnicity vehicles on the 9 were down to be branded last time there was a consultation for the service, so it would make sense to carry on that plan from before.
Whatever their livery design may be, I do think it will be on a red base livery (as they carry presently), if not generic Go North East.

Cross Tyne.. on a red base?
That might be alright.

(17 Dec 2013, 7:37 pm)Michael wrote Cross Tyne.. on a red base?
That might be alright.

Maybe our resident paper bus designer Adam Malarkey could come up with a few ideas if he's bored and has a bit of time on his hands this evening?
Just don't make Liam do it again... His paper bus didn't look half as good as the real thing!

(17 Dec 2013, 7:35 pm)benwell3031 wrote Time for Fast Cats brand to be killed off.

Northern buses should be used, as the service is only every 30 mins with no Eve/Sun service. Keep Scanias on it, but use 4926 to 4931.

Remember that GNE have stated over the last year that only routes that run every 15 mins or better would be branded, and all others would join Northern brand when they come up for repaint/replacement.

Im not picking at straws but the X35 is a 30 minute service same as the X21, and the X21 is getting upgraded

(17 Dec 2013, 7:48 pm)cbma06 wrote Im not picking at straws but the X35 is a 30 minute service same as the X21, and the X21 is getting upgraded

Just because its getting cascaded Mercs doesn't mean it will be branded, it could get red Northern Mercs !!

(17 Dec 2013, 7:52 pm)benwell3031 wrote Just because its getting cascaded Mercs doesn't mean it will be branded, it could get red Northern Mercs !!

If it was to get cascaded Mercs, it probably would receive branding because of the vehicle type alone.
Despite this, I was once told on the Open Line facility that the general rule was that a service/brand network had to have at least 6 vehicles to justify branding - nothing in regards to frequency. There of course have been plenty of exceptions to this since I was told alone, nevermind in the past...

(17 Dec 2013, 7:52 pm)benwell3031 wrote Just because its getting cascaded Mercs doesn't mean it will be branded, it could get red Northern Mercs !!

Funny when all of Percy Main's Citaros are said to be transferring, and an improved frequency is rumoured.

Also, I believe, wasn't said services with a PVR of less than 4 would not be branded (with the exception of the 18 in Bishop Auckland)? The X35 has a PVR of 6, plus like previously said the brand is now getting to 5 years old, so they will be due repaints and a brand refresh shortly.

(17 Dec 2013, 7:27 pm)Dan wrote The vehicles are certainly due a repaint, and the livery itself is certainly due for a little touch up... It must have been 2008/09 when it was first introduced, so it's been approximately five years?
I have noticed one Solar has been VOR for the past week or so - perhaps a sign that these vehicles are now struggling and would be better to put them on less demanding routes.

That was the plan for 4906, 4907, 4908 and 4909 but they still ended up on the X7...

(17 Dec 2013, 8:14 pm)northtynelinks2 wrote That was the plan for 4906, 4907, 4908 and 4909 but they still ended up on the X7...

Volvos (usually) are more reliable than other vehicles in the GNE fleet. I think that's why they ended up on the "Wear Tees Xpress" X7 service - on a trial basis only.
As soon as Go North East realised that the service had potential and needed to be upgraded to secure custom, trials for other vehicles took place.
When suitable vehicles are available, they will worm their way to Peterlee for the X7..!

This is what i think the fab fifty six livery should of looked like, or i tried to make what i think it should look like :

(17 Dec 2013, 8:19 pm)northtynelinks2 wrote This is what i think the fab fifty six livery should of looked like, or i tried to make what i think it should look like :

Yes, that looks much better

(17 Dec 2013, 8:28 pm)Michael wrote Yes, that looks much better

I know, it has a lot more key places on the route and doesnt look as plain at the bottom, that will really spoil it, unless thats a advertising space, which i highly doubt.

(17 Dec 2013, 8:02 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Funny when all of Percy Main's Citaros are said to be transferring, and an improved frequency is rumoured.

Are they? Is there? I am under the impression that the X21 is a double decker operation for a reason.

(17 Dec 2013, 9:42 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Tom noted a few days ago on the Rare and Odd Working Thread that Omnicity 5255 had been Repainted Blue which I think adds to the Speculation of what will be happening with the Omnicities. I think the Blue Base Livery alone may Indicate that the Branding could have something to do with the River Wear/Tyne perhaps, But there are other Posibilities from my point of view which are as Follows

- WheyAye50 gets an Increased Frequency to Every 20 Minutes
- X30/X31 Under a New Brand
- 9 Under a New Brand
- Extra Spare for the Coaster

5255-60 were always down to be repainted blue for service 50.
There are six buses at present, there will be six buses post-upgrade.

5255 is painted blue due to the 50/50A PVR is 6?

I also didnt expect 5205 to go black.

They could be for any service.. we will have to wait and see.

(17 Dec 2013, 9:44 pm)Dan wrote 5255-60 were always down to be repainted blue for service 50.
There are six buses at present, there will be six buses post-upgrade.

Yes that's correct, I realised my error after I posted, got myself confused with the Fleet Numbers and trying to keep up with the Repaints as I was in the Middle of updating my Fleetlist so we'll take the 50 out of the equation and the other Possibilities shall remain.

Im also trying to keep up with re-paints and deliveries

(17 Dec 2013, 9:14 pm)northtynelinks2 wrote I know, it has a lot more key places on the route and doesnt look as plain at the bottom, that will really spoil it, unless thats a advertising space, which i highly doubt.

There might be a very good reason why the branding is between decks.

The reason being is that it might be less of a headache to replace the branding if panels are damaged. Seen plenty of Fab 56s with half the branding missing on the sides due to panel replacement.

(17 Dec 2013, 11:57 pm)GMitchelhill wrote There might be a very good reason why the branding is between decks.

The reason being is that it might be less of a headache to replace the branding if panels are damaged. Seen plenty of Fab 56s with half the branding missing on the sides due to panel replacement.

Spot on!

As for the Black Solars. How about another twist. Maybe it's a new branding for the 9 with the black being something to do with the Tunnel. Maybe Percy Main will be more happier putting Solars on the 9 rather then Omnicities with the Solars been slightly more reliable (howay look at how many B10BLEs end up on the 9).

A person has told me that extras 9's maybe operated from Deptford so I'm not sure if branding would occur with it split depots. I do think, though with 7 PVR's both the 9 & 29 should be branded.

Maybe the Black Cat branding to make a return?

(18 Dec 2013, 12:10 am)GMitchelhill wrote As for the Black Solars. How about another twist. Maybe it's a new branding for the 9 with the black being something to do with the Tunnel. Maybe Percy Main will be more happier putting Solars on the 9 rather then Omnicities with the Solars been slightly more reliable (howay look at how many B10BLEs end up on the 9).

Unless 5204 was painted like this too (which I'm doubtful of), there would only be five vehicles painted in this black base livery.
That wouldn't be enough vehicles for the earlier suggested "Fast Cats" replacement, nor would there be enough for anything to do with the 9 or 26 ('29').
The X30/X31 does have a PVR of 5 though, and I must admit my initial thoughts were leaning towards these services gaining a brand - perhaps "West Durham Swift" making a return, even!

The Centurion on the 9 is supposedly more so to do with the reliability of the "Coaster" branded vehicles.
The Northern Omnicity vehicles replace the similar "Coaster" branded vehicles which are VOR (has earlier been suggested it's owing to the transponders at Wrekenton?), leaving the 9 without its allocated vehicles. For reasons unknown, Percy Main seem to think it's more acceptable to allocate Lolynes (in addition to the two which are required for scholars) to the Centurion, and the B10BLEs to the 9.
God knows why though, but that's Percy Main logic for you right there... Branding out the window!

Think the allocation staff are still a bit wary putting deckers on the 9 after the Trident got deroofed at Percy Main after the vehicle finished on service 9 at Percy Main. Deckers used to be a more regular occurance on the 9, then after that happened, it's usually once in a blue moon.

(18 Dec 2013, 12:36 am)Dan wrote Unless 5204 was painted like this too (which I'm doubtful of), there would only be five vehicles painted in this black base livery.
That wouldn't be enough vehicles for the earlier suggested "Fast Cats" replacement, nor would there be enough for anything to do with the 9 or 26 ('29').
The X30/X31 does have a PVR of 5 though, and I must admit my initial thoughts were leaning towards these services gaining a brand - perhaps "West Durham Swift" making a return, even!

The Centurion on the 9 is supposedly more so to do with the reliability of the "Coaster" branded vehicles.
The Northern Omnicity vehicles replace the similar "Coaster" branded vehicles which are VOR (has earlier been suggested it's owing to the transponders at Wrekenton?), leaving the 9 without its allocated vehicles. For reasons unknown, Percy Main seem to think it's more acceptable to allocate Lolynes (in addition to the two which are required for scholars) to the Centurion, and the B10BLEs to the 9.
God knows why though, but that's Percy Main logic for you right there... Branding out the window!

Certainly a lot of ifs and buts should be an interesting few weeks to see upcoming changes, transfers, possible new brands too!
I do remember us discussing the fact that possibly every single bus allocated to the 1 needs the transponders due to the way the timetable works, which causes 9 to be left as a bit of a 'What they have spare' route and as you point out why the 17 gets Lolynes as opposed to the 9 is beyond me.

Are the Cobalt Clipper Mercedes destined for the X21?
Would downgrading the 9 (from an enthusiast's view) allow greater reliability?
Does the X30 and X31 operation require double decker operation?
Is the new operation, 29, to be branded?

(18 Dec 2013, 7:10 am)Rob wrote Are the Cobalt Clipper Mercedes destined for the X21?
Would downgrading the 9 (from an enthusiast's view) allow greater reliability?
Does the X30 and X31 operation require double decker operation?
Is the new operation, 29, to be branded?

Maybe, unless plans have changed.

Like Dan i think the Omni's will now stay on the 9, going by changes on VOSA, looks like the proposed changes will go ahead.

Not sure of the X30/X31 - rarely see them to say anything.

I hope the 29 is branded.. same as 39, with the 29 using Scania's, 39 Versa's.. i hope.