(22 Dec 2021, 12:46 am)Rapidsnap wrote The best vehicles for the X10 for me would be joint between Leyland Olympian - ECW and Volvo Olympian - N-C Palatine 2. Honestly if those Palatine 2s had DP seating, they would have pipped the Olympians.

The Volvo B7TLs were ok but age caught up to them quicker due to their smaller engine (similar can be said of B9TL and B5TL). As for the Spectras, they were good to except they were hindered by their gearing which was more intended for London routes which meant it took longer for them to get into their stride.

It's a difficult route to get the right vehicle for these days, and the closest GNE has got is one 6 Cylinder Streetdeck, though from travelling on the Enviro 400MMCs on the X84, they are a pretty good shout, probably why one was on loan to Riverside last month.

If the X9 is gone for good, and the X10 does parts of both route, they should renumber the service to X19 to highlight it that it runs up the A19 serving locations along said route.

But I wouldn't be suprised if the numbers of OAP / Disabled passes do pick up again with the introduction of the double deckers with the vehicles being 100% easier to board than the coaches. A lot of the time old people only want to use a coach for when they are going on their holidays or on a day trip. Not to go shopping with their shopping trolley.

Also the 400MMC can serve Eldon Again

If GNE had've introduced coaches back in 2017 to replace the B9TLs, they would've been perfect.

But I do think GNE are now making a sensible decision to revert back to bus operation despite fanfare about the coaches.

(22 Dec 2021, 11:03 am)L469 YVK wrote If GNE had've introduced coaches back in 2017 to replace the B9TLs, they would've been perfect.

But I do think GNE are now making a sensible decision to revert back to bus operation despite fanfare about the coaches.

I liked them at first but it made me realise how much I liked the deckers. Plus them steep stairs when u first get on

(22 Dec 2021, 11:50 am)Train8261 wrote I liked them at first but it made me realise how much I liked the deckers. Plus them steep stairs when u first get on

I was on it the other week, and it was soo hot I thought I was going to pass out, there was no working aircon or anything.

(22 Dec 2021, 11:50 am)Train8261 wrote I liked them at first but it made me realise how much I liked the deckers. Plus them steep stairs when u first get on

I think they were a good idea but not in the current climate given the leasing costs.

Will be interesting to see if the X9 remains and 6338-40 join 6352-55? If not and it's just the X10, then in conjunction with other service changes, it would be good to see a re-allocation of the other E400MMCs to bring stability to the other XLines services.

X10 = 4x E400MMC (6352-55)
X21 = 9x E400MMC (6343-51)
X30/X31 (standalone) = 5x E400MMC (6338-42)

Obviously 6336/37 would need deployed as spares accordingly, keeping these at Consett would be the sensible choice given the need for a low height decker on the X30/X31. The above would then make sure that GNE's 2x longest XLines routes are allocated suitable vehicles and finally give some stability to the X21 with robust vehicles rather than a mish mash.

6308-14 would then fill the 'exact' PVR of a standalone X70/X71/X72 (still interworking with each other) with 6334/35 also providing good spares at Consett.

I wouldn't say something akin to the above would be feasible if the X84/X85 was still to be allocated E400MMCs even though 14x E400MMCs (6338-6351) and 7x B5TLs (6308-14) would fill the numbers. The only reason I'd suggest the above is for the simple reason that the X9/X10 and X21 don't need a low height spare decker or a decker with bike racks fitted which to be honest, seems to have gone on the backburner (unless known otherwise). Obviously an additional E400MMC was needed at Hexham for that purpose but to be no more.

Having a stable fleet of double deckers on the X10 & X21 would improve reliability and increase passenger confidence. Likewise although the X70/X71/X72 would receive B5TLs and maybe slightly slower on the steeper sections of the routes, they should be no less reliable than a StreetDeck.

(22 Dec 2021, 12:53 pm)L469 YVK wrote I think they were a good idea but not in the current climate given the leasing costs.

Will be interesting to see if the X9 remains and 6338-40 join 6352-55? If not and it's just the X10, then in conjunction with other service changes, it would be good to see a re-allocation of the other E400MMCs to bring stability to the other XLines services.

X10 = 4x E400MMC (6352-55)
X21 = 9x E400MMC (6343-51)
X30/X31 (standalone) = 5x E400MMC (6338-42)

Obviously 6336/37 would need deployed as spares accordingly, keeping these at Consett would be the sensible choice given the need for a low height decker on the X30/X31. The above would then make sure that GNE's 2x longest XLines routes are allocated suitable vehicles and finally give some stability to the X21 with robust vehicles rather than a mish mash.

6308-14 would then fill the 'exact' PVR of a standalone X70/X71/X72 (still interworking with each other) with 6334/35 also providing good spares at Consett.

I wouldn't say something akin to the above would be feasible if the X84/X85 was still to be allocated E400MMCs even though 14x E400MMCs (6338-6351) and 7x B5TLs (6308-14) would fill the numbers. The only reason I'd suggest the above is for the simple reason that the X9/X10 and X21 don't need a low height spare decker or a decker with bike racks fitted which to be honest, seems to have gone on the backburner (unless known otherwise). Obviously an additional E400MMC was needed at Hexham for that purpose but to be no more.

Having a stable fleet of double deckers on the X10 & X21 would improve reliability and increase passenger confidence. Likewise although the X70/X71/X72 would receive B5TLs and maybe slightly slower on the steeper sections of the routes, they should be no less reliable than a StreetDeck.

For me personally, the switch to E400s on the X21 would probably put me off using it as much since the seats are unbearable for long journeys. I can just about make it to Stanley before I have to switch seats because the foam is too soft and lacks any support.
I'd rather sit on an Omnidekka for 2 hours than an E400!

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(22 Dec 2021, 2:57 pm)streetdeckfan wrote For me personally, the switch to E400s on the X21 would probably put me off using it as much since the seats are unbearable for long journeys. I can just about make it to Stanley before I have to switch seats because the foam is too soft and lacks any support.
I'd rather sit on an Omnidekka for 2 hours than an E400!

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They surely aren't as bad as the Urban 90's previously used on previous incarnations of the 21/X21!

(22 Dec 2021, 3:09 pm)L469 YVK wrote They surely aren't as bad as the Urban 90's previously used on previous incarnations of the 21/X21!

I don't know like, they're pretty awful! Short journeys they're fine, but after half an hour the lack of support really shows! There's a reason proper office chairs aren't just 2 inches of soft foam and a bit of wadding on a solid board!

I personally see no reason to take the B5s off the X21, they're perfectly adequate and I can tolerate them!

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(22 Dec 2021, 3:37 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I personally see no reason to take the B5s off the X21, they're perfectly adequate and I can tolerate them!

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At the moment, they serve their purpose. But given their history, will these vehicles hold the fort between 5-7 years of age on the X21?

Given that there could potentially be 14x nearly new Enviro 400MMCs available for a re-shuffle as well as adequate spares (both 6336/37 with neither needed at Hexham). Not only that, but if revisions are made to the September changes to increase running / recovery times and the X30's / X70's become standalone, surely the PVR of the X21 (9x E400MMC); X30's (5x E400MMC if standalone) and X70's (7x Volvo B5TL if standalone) would justify the numbers for a reshuffle.

Then for spares...............

Consett:
6334, 6335, 6336, 6337 = Covers Euro 6 decker PVR of 27x
6331 - Stays on X45/X46

Chester Le Street:
6305, 6306, 6307, 6332, 6333 = Covers Euro 6 decker PVR of 26x with 1x of the spares allocated to the decker 25 board

The X21 since it's launch has had
- Volvo B7TL = Unreliable and old
- StreetDecks 6301-07 = Unreliable
- Volvo B5TL =  Okay(ish) but for how long?

(22 Dec 2021, 3:59 pm)L469 YVK wrote At the moment, they serve their purpose. But given their history, will these vehicles hold the fort between 5-7 years of age on the X21?

Given that there could potentially be 14x nearly new Enviro 400MMCs available for a re-shuffle as well as adequate spares (both 6336/37 with neither needed at Hexham). Not only that, but if revisions are made to the September changes to increase running / recovery times and the X30's / X70's become standalone, surely the PVR of the X21 (9x E400MMC); X30's (5x E400MMC if standalone) and X70's (7x Volvo B5TL if standalone) would justify the numbers for a reshuffle.

Then for spares...............

Consett:
6334, 6335, 6336, 6337 = Covers Euro 6 decker PVR of 27x
6331 - Stays on X45/X46

Chester Le Street:
6305, 6306, 6307, 6332, 6333 = Covers Euro 6 decker PVR of 26x with 1x of the spares allocated to the decker 25 board

The X21 since it's launch has had
- Volvo B7TL = Unreliable and old
- StreetDecks 6301-07 = Unreliable
- Volvo B5TL =  Okay(ish) but for how long?

As I understand it, it was only 6301-6303 that were unreliable, with 6304-6307 being alright.



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(21 Dec 2021, 10:33 pm)Ambassador wrote Those Superliner liveried MCWs were immense. Felt like they could take off at any point. Those Spectras were pretty special too once they got going.

Was never a fan of the Spectra's, but agree about those Superliner and ExpressLink Metrobuses.
The noise, the seating... Decadent!

(22 Dec 2021, 4:17 pm)streetdeckfan wrote As I understand it, it was only 6301-6303 that were unreliable, with 6304-6307 being alright.



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6302 seem more than okay on the 50 basically everyday. Might have just been the route.

(22 Dec 2021, 4:17 pm)streetdeckfan wrote As I understand it, it was only 6301-6303 that were unreliable, with 6304-6307 being alright.



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Did 6304 not need a new engine at one point?

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(22 Dec 2021, 4:36 pm)Andreos1 wrote Was never a fan of the Spectra's, but agree about those Superliner and ExpressLink Metrobuses.
The noise, the seating... Decadent!

Palatine II's were the best though! They didn't have coach seating as they were originally purchased for South Shields depot routes and 4x of them ended up on the then jointly run 308 before ending up on the X9/X10.

Funnily enough around 2000/01, the 306 & 308 were both fully Volvo Olympian NC Palatine II operated

Arriva 306: P4** CCU - Volvo D10-245
Arriva 308: M3** FTY - Cummins L10 & Coach seating
Go Coastline 308: S8** OFT - Volvo D10-245

If I distinctly remember as well, Arriva's had an extra vertical storage area on the lower deck, but GNE's had a single seat instead.

(22 Dec 2021, 5:11 pm)L469 YVK wrote Did 6304 not need a new engine at one point?

I don't believe so, I know it was away for a while for repairs as someone drove it into the bridge next to the Metrocentre, but I think that was all

Well there will be a X-Lines eliminated as there is talks about the X84 being renumbered to the 685.
so we will be losing the Orange X-Lines sadly

Why would the x84 be renumberd to the 685 for when there is already a 685 tan by Arriva and stagecoach

(23 Dec 2021, 3:39 pm)ThomasBooth123 wrote Why would the  x84 be renumberd to the 685 for when there is already a 685 tan by Arriva and stagecoach

Only number that hasnt been used for the Tynedale Links

(23 Dec 2021, 3:33 pm)KingSlayerRBLX wrote Well there will be a X-Lines eliminated as there is talks about the X84 being renumbered to the 685.
so we will be losing the Orange X-Lines sadly

684

684 is what the X84 use to be numbers so will be that

(23 Dec 2021, 3:42 pm)deanmachine wrote 684

apologies it will be the 684 it will become not the 685

(23 Dec 2021, 3:43 pm)KingSlayerRBLX wrote apologies it will be the 684 it will become not the 685

They could keep it as the X84, and just keep the Xlines Brand on the Versa, maybe add 2 tables sorted. 

The second brand/colour, 5th Route to be taken out of the brand (X6/X7/X47/X84/X85)

(23 Dec 2021, 3:50 pm)Keeiajs wrote They could keep it as the X84, and just keep the Xlines Brand on the Versa, maybe add 2 tables sorted. 

The second brand/colour, 5th Route to be taken out of the brand (X6/X7/X47/X84/X85)

Sixth including the X9.

(23 Dec 2021, 3:50 pm)Keeiajs wrote They could keep it as the X84, and just keep the Xlines Brand on the Versa, maybe add 2 tables sorted. 

The second brand/colour, 5th Route to be taken out of the brand (X6/X7/X47/X84/X85)

As long as they put some half decent Versas on, with the refurbed seats and usb, I see no reason why they wouldn't be X-lines standard.
I've always found the ride on the Versas to be quite nice, and some of them are even screwed together well!

To be fair, we had a particularly shoddy Versa on the 49 last night and it wasn't even that bad, I'd certainly take it over a Citaro in terms of comfort

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If you're going to put tables in a single decker, maybe a tri-axle would be better.

(23 Dec 2021, 4:30 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote If you're going to put tables in a single decker, maybe a tri-axle would be better.

tables take over a row of seats and with X84's passenger numbers I think it can manage

(23 Dec 2021, 3:33 pm)KingSlayerRBLX wrote Well there will be a X-Lines eliminated as there is talks about the X84 being renumbered to the 685.
so we will be losing the Orange X-Lines sadly

Hope when the orange e400’s move onto the x10 that the rear will be repainted into purple instead of that orange


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(23 Dec 2021, 5:56 pm)cbma06 wrote Hope when the orange e400’s move onto the x10 that the rear will be repainted into purple instead of that orange


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they are

(23 Dec 2021, 3:57 pm)omnicity4659 wrote Sixth including the X9.

These XLines are succeeding like..

X9 Timetable is on GNE 

https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/services/G...2022-01-13&direction=inbound

Had a look at the timetable for 1 Feb and it seems a 6 min turnaround in Middlesbrough. The old TTX had 10 minutes and was often very late leaving, hence the 25 min turnaround in 2017. Could lead to some problems. 

Can’t help wondering what happens when numbers increase again (which they will, especially when Northern are cancelling services so frequently)