(04 Feb 2014, 3:40 pm)andreos1 wrote Although mechanically, they may be ok and have stood the test of time, there are a few that have succumbed to condensation and rainwater.

The original batch of Presidents (including the ones which were despatched down to Oxford), have aged a bit better.

I would still rather have these than the EX london deckers, or even that bloody beamish bus that turns up once in a while, awful ride.

(04 Feb 2014, 10:09 am)Arcticrossy92 wrote A Loylne on the X30 the other day had a leaking roof! And those x London deckers still sneak onto the X30/X31 at times.

I wonder if a horse and cart with Go North East on could get me back home quicker sometimes.

Was it 3863 by any chance? I know there is something that is nailed to the roof which is missing and you can see outside (literally)

(04 Feb 2014, 3:45 pm)Arcticrossy92 wrote I would still rather have these than the EX london deckers, or even that bloody beamish bus that turns up once in a while, awful ride.

Never really noticed much difference in the ride, but as a passenger, the Loylnes seating (espec upstairs at the front) isn't as spacious.
There is a lot more legroom with the Presidents for some reason.

(04 Feb 2014, 4:05 pm)northtynelinks2 wrote Was it 3863 by any chance? I know there is something that is nailed to the roof which is missing and you can see outside (literally)

It could of been, it was leaking upstairs right at the front on the right hand side, there is a metal peice stuck on the roof rectangualar, it was coming from there!

(04 Feb 2014, 4:13 pm)Arcticrossy92 wrote It could of been, it was leaking upstairs right at the front on the right hand side, there is a metal peice stuck on the roof rectangualar, it was coming from there!

Yep, that fits the description of 3863's roof Its been like that for months!

Does the allocation of the 10 require the spares as part of its PVR, or are they just back ups.

Same with the TTX and Red arrows B7.

If so is it only a matter of time before they are made red for spares, considering half of the time they are on another route with that brand.

I remember reading back that the 2 Angel spares, arent spares anymore and are part of the allocation and have been for sometime on the 21, surprising that when all these new B9's arrived, that within the 4 red spares, 2 of them could of went to the Angel, arriving in the base colour to replace the older b7's freeing them up to become red spares, and leaving 1 Red B9 each on Cobalt and then Fab56 if needed.

Pointless exercise maybe, but Im sad and would of probs done that haha.

(04 Feb 2014, 4:23 pm)Arcticrossy92 wrote Does the allocation of the 10 require the spares as part of its PVR, or are they just back ups.

Same with the TTX and Red arrows B7.

If so is it only a matter of time before they are made red for spares, considering half of the time they are on another route with that brand.

I remember reading back that the 2 Angel spares, arent spares anymore and are part of the allocation and have been for sometime on the 21, surprising that when all these new B9's arrived, that within the 4 red spares, 2 of them could of went to the Angel, arriving in the base colour to replace the older b7's freeing them up to become red spares, and leaving 1 Red B9 each on Cobalt and then Fab56 if needed.

Pointless exercise maybe, but Im sad and would of probs done that haha.

3941/42 (TEN/Metro Radio) are both spare vehicles for the "TEN" network.
3943 (Red Arrows) is a spare vehicle for "Red Arrows" service X1, and has a tendency of being used on Saturdays on the X88 if not required by the X1.
3962/65 (Angel) were both originally spare vehicles for "Angel" service 21, but service changes designed to improve reliability saw the PVR increase by two.
3963 (Tyne Tees Xpress) is a spare vehicle for the "Tyne Tees Xpress" network.
3964 (Children in Need) is a spare vehicle at Riverside depot for any service.

(04 Feb 2014, 4:26 pm)Dan wrote 3962/65 (Angel) were both originally spare vehicles for "Angel" service 21, but service changes designed to improve reliability saw the PVR increase by two.

I'd assume this means that any of the B7's are the 'unofficial' spares for the Angel?

(04 Feb 2014, 4:49 pm)gtomlinson wrote I'd assume this means that any of the B7's are the 'unofficial' spares for the Angel?

Indeed.

On another note, 4922 is now at Riverside - this vehicle replaces 8220 to withdrawn (as reported in the news yesterday), though in reality this had already happened.

(04 Feb 2014, 4:26 pm)Dan wrote 3941/42 (TEN/Metro Radio) are both spare vehicles for the "TEN" network.
3943 (Red Arrows) is a spare vehicle for "Red Arrows" service X1, and has a tendency of being used on Saturdays on the X88 if not required by the X1.
3962/65 (Angel) were both originally spare vehicles for "Angel" service 21, but service changes designed to improve reliability saw the PVR increase by two.
3963 (Tyne Tees Xpress) is a spare vehicle for the "Tyne Tees Xpress" network.
3964 (Children in Need) is a spare vehicle at Riverside depot for any service.

BIB: 3962/5 have always been part of the PVR since the B5s arrived, given the first entered service mere days before the service changes happened (while 3962/5 returned to use around the time of the change).

(04 Feb 2014, 4:26 pm)Dan wrote 3941/42 (TEN/Metro Radio) are both spare vehicles for the "TEN" network.
3943 (Red Arrows) is a spare vehicle for "Red Arrows" service X1, and has a tendency of being used on Saturdays on the X88 if not required by the X1.
3962/65 (Angel) were both originally spare vehicles for "Angel" service 21, but service changes designed to improve reliability saw the PVR increase by two.
3963 (Tyne Tees Xpress) is a spare vehicle for the "Tyne Tees Xpress" network.
3964 (Children in Need) is a spare vehicle at Riverside depot for any service.

Never thought of this until now but wouldn't it be a good idea to put 3964 into Angel livery and then that will allow three B7s to be allocated to the service with one spare each day.

(04 Feb 2014, 1:16 pm)Dan wrote 5338 is at Saltmeadows.

Why is 5338 there?

(04 Feb 2014, 5:10 pm)CatsFast101 wrote Why is 5338 there?

Think it may have been maintenance related rather than for repaint purposes (contrary to what I thought when passing on the bus during my dinner break!)

A very ropey sounding Rxxx PRG Renown passed me at Woodstone Village coming from Houghton about 10mins back.

8229 wasn't too far in front of it, so would have suggested a breakdown/replacement - but I had seen that a few times on the 71 today.

So what the Renown was doing apart from spotting FPF members in Fencehouses, is anyone's guess.

3943 also has a tendency to end up on the W5/W6.

(04 Feb 2014, 6:27 pm)aureolin wrote 3943 also has a tendency to end up on the W5/W6.

Seems to see more use on those routes than the x1.
The ex-London Presidents appear to be the alternative of choice, over the the branded spare on the x1.

(04 Feb 2014, 6:39 pm)andreos1 wrote Seems to see more use on those routes than the x1.

Shows how reliable the Volvo B9's are if it not required on X1

Does 6094 have a full length display yet?

(04 Feb 2014, 6:45 pm)citaro5284 wrote Shows how reliable the Volvo B9's are if it not required on X1

Well not really no. The presidents are used more for some reason, at least one was X1's today, (1:16ish Houghton-Newcastle), I assume reliability reasons.

(04 Feb 2014, 6:45 pm)citaro5284 wrote Shows how reliable the Volvo B9's are if it not required on X1

The ex-London Presidents appear to be the alternative of choice, over the the branded spare on the x1.

Indeed...

Strange the Presidents seem to be the choice of cover when the Geminis are VOR for maintenance, testing or breakdowns over the branded spare though.

(04 Feb 2014, 6:52 pm)andreos1 wrote Strange the Presidents seem to be the choice of cover when the Geminis are VOR for maintenance, testing or breakdowns over the branded spare though.

I agree, need to understand why Washington do this instead of using 3943.

(04 Feb 2014, 5:10 pm)CatsFast101 wrote Never thought of this until now but wouldn't it be a good idea to put 3964 into Angel livery and then that will allow three B7s to be allocated to the service with one spare each day.

From a business point of view there's probably no sense in painting 3964 into Green Angel (aside the fact its breaking down an awful lot) when there's perfectly serviceable (and arguably more reliable) B7's that can do a job on the 21 along with the ELC's that hover around Chester

(04 Feb 2014, 6:50 pm)CatsFast101 wrote Well not really no. The presidents are used more for some reason, at least one was X1's today, (1:16ish Houghton-Newcastle), I assume reliability reasons.

There's a President or 2 on the X1 on a Daily Basis, to Cover the B9's that go off onto the X1A/921 and Scholars, Really GNE should Purchase a Few Extra Geminis to Cover the PVR, As those Ex London Presidents are Bloody Awful, Surprised they even make it to the top of Bank for the Bus Stop for the Q.E. coming from Newcastle, as they literally Struggle at about 2mph going up there. I would think going up to Stanley/Consett on the 15/15A and X30/X31/X70/X71 would be exactly the same, Not forgetting the X21 to Bishop Auckland also. #NewDD'sProntoGNE

(04 Feb 2014, 6:59 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote There's a President or 2 on the X1 on a Daily Basis, to Cover the B9's that go off onto the X1A/921 and Scholars, Really GNE should Purchase a Few Extra Geminis to Cover the PVR, those Ex London Presidents are Bloody Awful, Surprised they even make it to the top of Bank for the Bus Stop for the Q.E. coming from Newcastle, as they literally Struggle at about 2mph going up there. I would think going up to Stanley/Consett on the 15/15A and X30/X31/X70/X71 would be exactly the same, Not forgetting the X21 to Bishop Auckland also. #NewDD'sProntoGNE

That should be 3943's job though

PB0002400/288 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Sunderland, Park Lane Interchange and Hartlepool, Marina Way given service number X35/835 effective from 09-Feb-2014. To amend Timetable.

PB0002400/384 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Peterlee Bus Station and Bracken Hill Business Park given service number 201 effective from 09-Feb-2014. To amend Timetable.

(03 Feb 2014, 6:58 pm)Dan wrote I'm tempted to suggest with immediate effect so that SPDs can be withdrawn though.

Good guess!

5258 was out on 50s today. Photo credit to Bazza Houston.

(04 Feb 2014, 7:04 pm)andreos1 wrote That should be 3943's job though

Indeed it should be, I personally see it all the time X1, Had it on my way back from Newcastle Last Thursday, and Rare occasions on the W5/W6/M2/M3.

(04 Feb 2014, 7:35 pm)Dan wrote Good guess!

5258 was out on 50s today. Photo credit to Bazza Houston.

Just thinking, wouldn't it make sense to send the red omnicities to various depots as spares? 5250 to Chester-le-Street, 5253/54 to stay at Percy Main to replace 8239/41 and 5273 to Stanley? I think Stanley and Chester-le-Street depots could do with an additional spare, as Stanley seem to have Olympians out regularly.

I seen a blaydon racer on 27 today I didn't catch the fleet number

(04 Feb 2014, 8:10 pm)Tom wrote Just thinking, wouldn't it make sense to send the red omnicities to various depots as spares? 5250 to Chester-le-Street, 5253/54 to stay at Percy Main to replace 8239/41 and 5273 to Stanley? I think Stanley and Chester-le-Street depots could do with an additional spare, as Stanley seem to have Olympians out regularly.

I been thinking about what should do with the Red Omnicities for a few Days now, but I am Unsure on the Current PVR's of the Current Routes. I was thinking instead of Allocating them to X30/X31, Why not put them on 13/14/15/15A/X25, Obviously not all Services might be Possible, But this would mean that Northern Omnicities 5247-49/Red Omnicities 5250/5253-54 and 5273 would move over to Chester/Stanley, Then Solars 5201-04 would go to Percy Main for the 19, To then free up 5243-46 which would join the other Omnicities. Then the Ex London Presidents and the ELC Loynes could be Split between Depots to Withdraw Olympians etc.

(04 Feb 2014, 8:10 pm)Tom wrote Just thinking, wouldn't it make sense to send the red omnicities to various depots as spares? 5250 to Chester-le-Street, 5253/54 to stay at Percy Main to replace 8239/41 and 5273 to Stanley? I think Stanley and Chester-le-Street depots could do with an additional spare, as Stanley seem to have Olympians out regularly.

Omnis are what... 06/56 plate vehicles? I'd say it makes more sense to have your older vehicles as spares, as they're doing with the Solars. There's a few services that could have done with a nice upgrade to Omnicities. I'm pleased to see that the 50 is one of them selected.