(06 Nov 2020, 7:48 pm)Tiger5105 wrote Currently on 6348 on X45 to Consett and the rattles upstairs are terrible. Theres some rivets or screws missing  on some panel as every bump.its a loud rattle of metal on metal. Not what youd expect from a new X lines bus but then again it is an E400 ?

Yea the E400s are crap compared to the Streetdecks, imo. More Streetdecks please 

(06 Nov 2020, 7:48 pm)Tiger5105 wrote Currently on 6348 on X45 to Consett and the rattles upstairs are terrible. Theres some rivets or screws missing  on some panel as every bump.its a loud annoying rattle of metal on metal. Not what youd expect from a new X lines bus but then again it is an E400 ?

The thing with the E400s is they're either really good, or really bad, there's no in between. 

(06 Nov 2020, 7:49 pm)JP6004 wrote Yea the E400s are crap compared to the Streetdecks, imo. More Streetdecks please 

Definitely agree, I think they'd be silly to order any more E400s, unless they're for a low height route, especially with the 6 cylinder Streetdeck appearing to be well liked

(06 Nov 2020, 9:32 pm)streetdeckfan wrote The thing with the E400s is they're either really good, or really bad, there's no in between. 


Definitely agree, I think they'd be silly to order any more E400s, unless they're for a low height route, especially with the 6 cylinder Streetdeck appearing to be well liked

Now that the X9 & X10 is a coaching operation, is there any need for the OM936 StreetDeck? Unless fuel economy is very similar if not, better than the E400MMC. Also bearing in mind that the E400MMC qualifies as a "low carbon" bus whereas the OM936 StreetDeck doesn't.

(07 Nov 2020, 6:23 am)L469 YVK wrote Now that the X9 & X10 is a coaching operation, is there any need for the OM936 StreetDeck? Unless fuel economy is very similar if not, better than the E400MMC. Also bearing in mind that the E400MMC qualifies as a "low carbon" bus whereas the OM936 StreetDeck doesn't.

Honestly I don't think there is. Other than the X9/X10, are there any route that the 4 cylinder StreetDecks actually struggle on?

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(07 Nov 2020, 8:56 am)streetdeckfan wrote Honestly I don't think there is. Other than the X9/X10, are there any route that the 4 cylinder StreetDecks actually struggle on?

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I'd probably say that route wise, the only decker routes in GNE's network that would benefit from an E400MMC would be X1, X21, X70, X71, X84, X85, 10, 10A, 10B. All other decker routes could comfortably be run using OM934 StreetDecks (incl X30 if LH variant was better).

Maybe the 20 would also be better run using E400MMCs if that ever got upgraded to double deck in the future.

The OM936 StreetDeck will likely be too heavy for most routes unless GNE were willing to sacrafice BSOG payments in return for a better "build" compared to the E400MMC.

(07 Nov 2020, 8:56 am)streetdeckfan wrote Honestly I don't think there is. Other than the X9/X10, are there any route that the 4 cylinder StreetDecks actually struggle on?

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It's probably too early to tell. Some of them in a few years time could be in a very different state. I know some of Blyth's Gemini's have been re-engined after about 5/6 years as they were finished and the engine isn't too different, less cylinders but I believe the horsepower are about the same. The routes are quite similar aswell, the X1 in particular. The earlier X21 Streetdecks aren't exactly the best performers anymore neither.

(07 Nov 2020, 10:48 am)L469 YVK wrote I'd probably say that route wise, the only decker routes in GNE's network that would benefit from an E400MMC would be X1, X21, X70, X71, X84, X85, 10, 10A, 10B. All other decker routes could comfortably be run using OM934 StreetDecks (incl X30 if LH variant was better).

Maybe the 20 would also be better run using E400MMCs if that ever got upgraded to double deck in the future.

The OM936 StreetDeck will likely be too heavy for most routes unless GNE were willing to sacrafice BSOG payments in return for a better "build" compared to the E400MMC.

The newer StreetDecks were actually alright on the X21, the only issue with them was the maximum speed on the motorway, in fact on the non motorway sections i think they're better than the B5s, especially on the hills.

I wonder if they'll send both the 4 and 6 cylinder spares around to try them

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I think the X21 wasnt suited to the earlier streetdecks but given the right route they still seem a decent bus. They seem particularly suited to the X5/15 with very few absent days and they always seem to manage a full day.

(07 Nov 2020, 12:24 pm)Tiger5105 wrote I think the X21 wasnt suited to the earlier streetdecks but given the right route they still seem a decent bus. They seem particularly suited to the X5/15 with very few absent days and they always seem to manage a full day.

And the 67 plates were great on the X21, 6332 spent all of its time on it and was rarely out of service

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Yes that's true , I should have said the 16 plates. 6304 - 6307 seem to be proving their worth now they're on a less demanding route on the X5/15. They rarely get a chance to be flat out on the A691 as theres always a slow car or lorry to hold you up!

So the big question now is where are the remaining three vehicles going to come from for the X45/X46/X47? Any guesses?

(07 Nov 2020, 1:45 pm)L469 YVK wrote So the big question now is where are the remaining three vehicles going to come from for the X45/X46/X47? Any guesses?

Will someone put him out of his misery and just tell him...

(07 Nov 2020, 3:07 pm)Michael wrote Will someone put him out of his misery and just tell him...   

Unless GAG have an extra 3x StreetDecks in the pipeline (doubt it) only way I can see extra vehicles available will be one of the following service cuts:

Option 1:
- 21 reduced to every 10 minutes between Chester Le Street and Newcastle but still half hourly to Durham (PVR 13). That then releases 6328-6330.
- 6118-21 temporarily allocated as a short term measure until safe to increase capacity.

Option 2:
- X30 & X31 reduced to hourly each meaning every 30 minutes between Stanley and Newcastle with X31 also running via Whickham & Dunston. That then reduces PVR of X30/X31/X70/X71 to 9 vehicles. 2x of the new batch then act as spares (bike racks fitted). All 4x services would still offer a 15 minute combined frequency from Sunniside to Newcastle albeit different route variations.
- 6338-40 allocated to X45/X46/X47.

6118-6121 to remain with the fleet perhaps, rebranded and refurbed to Xlines?

X30/X31/X70/X71 interworking pattern would be something like the following with a revised frequency. All with the exception of the X31 would serve Consett.

X30 ex CON> X71 ex NCL > X70 ex CON > X30 ex NCL - 4hr 29m driving time
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
X71 ex CON > X31 ex NCL > X31 ex STY > X70 ex NCL - 3hr 48m driving time
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(07 Nov 2020, 1:45 pm)L469 YVK wrote So the big question now is where are the remaining three vehicles going to come from for the X45/X46/X47? Any guesses?

There will be a frequency reduction so that they don't need the extra 3

(08 Nov 2020, 12:04 am)busmanT wrote There will be a frequency reduction so that they don't need the extra 3

My guess it will most likely be the three original E400MMCs (6338-40) meaning a reduction to the frequency of the X30 & X31. If you think about it logistically, the X30, X70, X71 albeit different routes between Sunniside & Newcastle effectively duplicate each other due to their timings.

I might be wrong though. What are load factors like on the X45 & X46? Saying that, perhaps they might after all reduce the frequency of the X45 & X46 to better space out the Consett to Newcastle services and increase load factors on the X70 & X71.

Who knows haha

(08 Nov 2020, 8:45 am)L469 YVK wrote My guess it will most likely be the three original E400MMCs (6338-40) meaning a reduction to the frequency of the X30 & X31. If you think about it logistically, the X30, X70, X71 albeit different routes between Sunniside & Newcastle effectively duplicate each other due to their timings.

I might be wrong though. What are load factors like on the X45 & X46? Saying that, perhaps they might after all reduce the frequency of the X45 & X46 to better space out the Consett to Newcastle services and increase load factors on the X70 & X71.

Who knows haha

By shifting the X31 via the X30 route, you are cutting the Stanley to Team Valley & Gateshead section which pre lockdown a few people used. Also by cutting the X45/X46 down to 30 mins each you are reducing capacity to the Metrocentre, remember not everybody from Consett and surrounding areas travel to Newcastle.

Time will tell what the pvr will be and what it's made up of.

6376 is now at Washington on the X1, would assume 6377 has gone to Hownsgill

(10 Nov 2020, 9:19 am)Malarkey wrote 6376 is now at Washington on the X1, would assume 6377 has gone to Hownsgill

Nah it has not, but not at Washington either.

6149/51/53/54/58 have all been allocated to the 58 today - are these a temp allocation or a permanent allocation?

(11 Nov 2020, 6:39 pm)Michael wrote 6149/51/53/54/58 have all been allocated to the 58 today - are these a temp allocation or a permanent allocation?

MG stated corporate versas will be the semi-permanent allocation

(11 Nov 2020, 9:06 pm)JP6004 wrote MG stated corporate versas will be the semi-permanent allocation

Ah right, i must of missed that post/reply.

Just out of curiosity why did GNE change their mind from ordering ADL E400MMCs for the X1 to streetdecks.

(11 Nov 2020, 9:30 pm)GNE6312 wrote Just out of curiosity why did GNE change their mind from ordering ADL E400MMCs for the X1 to streetdecks.

Planned interworking of X70/1 and X30 but this couldn’t be done without swapping the Streetdecks for the E400s

(10 Nov 2020, 5:27 pm)citaro5284 wrote Nah it has not, but not at Washington either.

It’s parked at Galleries Bus Station in the layover area where the GNE vans park at.


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Does anyone know if the newer Xlines routes still announce themselves as Red Arrows & Red Kites etc?

Also having seen alterations and experimenting as to what’s displayed on the double height destination screens, I wondered if the X1’s have been updated yet to automatically change to Eldon Square?

(12 Nov 2020, 3:14 pm)ne14ne1 wrote Does anyone know if the newer Xlines routes still announce themselves as Red Arrows & Red Kites etc?

Also having seen alterations and experimenting as to what’s displayed on the double height destination screens, I wondered if the X1’s have been updated yet to automatically change to Eldon Square?

Last time I was on X1 2 weeks ago, it still stated Red Arrows

(12 Nov 2020, 2:00 pm)TEN 6083 wrote It’s parked at Galleries Bus Station in the layover area where the GNE vans park at.


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It’s actually parked at Riverside, having some work carried out to it.


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(11 Nov 2020, 9:30 pm)GNE6312 wrote Just out of curiosity why did GNE change their mind from ordering ADL E400MMCs for the X1 to streetdecks.

Whilst the X1 would benefit from extra muscle plus the fact at the time of order there being uncertainties with WrightBus, the interworking pattens at Consett post COVID needed to become more efficient and the only way of achieving that would be interworking the X30/X70/X71 (X31 standalone).

The above interworking pattern therefore requires low height deckers due to a low bridge in Dunston on the X30.

As things stand right now, the StreetDecks are to stay on the X1 for their main service life (7-8 years) but wouldn't put it past them being cascaded much sooner if and when (and that's a big if and when) things pick up again.

If COVID didn't hit and WrightBus were not in trouble, it would've likely been between the ADL E400MMC & OM936 StreetDeck as the options for the X1.