(06 Jan 2026, 5:31 pm)Malarkey wrote The first Voltra Wright Electroliner (6821/MA75 CUJ) has been delivered to Riverside Depot - https://flickr.com/photos/c-newman-photo...1792356885

How long before its off route on the 21 or covering on the Q3

Really find it weird how they've kept Voltra but looks like they're going to drop X Lines. Say what you will about X Lines, that livery certainly looks better than Voltra.

(06 Jan 2026, 11:24 pm)Storx wrote I don't know why, but personally I'm not that confident that the E400MMC's will be leaving Riverside now.

Now that the new Ultraliners have been sent to Consett which comes across as a last ditch change, I have a feeling those 4 spare and the ones on the X5/X15 might be the X21 allocation instead as it needs something since there's not enough of the 70 Plates for the 56 from Washington alone. 

There's also the big question of the B5TL's at Deptford and E200MMC's at Consett/Riverside aswell which are both routeless pretty much atm.

The only thing to bear in mind is the low bridge issue with the X30s / X70s meaning that if Riverside got 8x E400MMC, Consett would be relying on single deckers as spares.

However......they 'could' make the X70/X73 standalone with a PVR of 5x and have the X71 as a 'there and back' standalone as a PVR of 3 which would reduce the number of low height deckers needed. Wouldn't be as efficient on the driving hours, but would mean most of the X70/X71/X73 boards get relieved in Consett as opposed to a some ending up in Stanley countering it out.

Unless......the other plan is to make some X30/X31/X32 and X70/X71/X73 boards single deck - with the busier boards using deckers and quieter ones using singles.

21st January at utilita arena 11.30am-1.30pm..Launch Day for the NEW ELECTRIC vehicles.

(07 Jan 2026, 1:43 pm)Retro Nero wrote 21st January at utilita arena 11.30am-1.30pm..Launch Day for the NEW ELECTRIC vehicles.

Depending on which way they decide to come from Riverside Depot it looks like they'll be entering Utilitia Arena via either Swing Bridge, Skinnerburn Road, Dunn Street, Red Rose Street or Redheugh Bridge, Scotswood Road, William Armstrong Drive, Monarch Road, Skinnerburn Road, Dunn Street and Red Rose Street onto the Car Park to avoid the Railway Bridges.

Went passed Riverside this afternoon and looks as though Driver Familiarisation Training has started with 6388 seen doing few laps around by Depot/Costco this afternoon, also seen an Angel Electroliner heading along by the Metro Retail Park also looked to be doing the same or potentially on delivery, not 100% sure as I was distance away as it flashed by.

(9 hours ago)Malarkey wrote Went passed Riverside this afternoon and looks as though Driver Familiarisation Training has started with 6388 seen doing few laps around by Depot/Costco this afternoon, also seen an Angel Electroliner heading along by the Metro Retail Park also looked to be doing the same or potentially on delivery, not 100% sure as I was distance away as it flashed by.

I know some have started being delivered to Washington too, assume for the same reason.

(8 hours ago)deanmachine wrote I know some have started being delivered to Washington too, assume for the same reason.

I noticed there was significantly less diesel ones parked up at Riverside this afternoon, I did see a photo of 6379 at Consett Bus Station on Facebook so rumour of some going there must be true.

(6 hours ago)Malarkey wrote I noticed there was significantly less diesel ones parked up at Riverside this afternoon, I did see a photo of 6379 at Consett Bus Station on Facebook so rumour of some going there must be true.

6388 on Driver Familiarisation Duties - https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalark...ateposted/

6804 on charge - https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalark...ateposted/

Anyone know the Reg Plate for 6804 as I couldn't make it out?

I know it's a bit nitpicking and not unique to GNE but I wish when people designed bus designs they actually respected the bus design.

The panel behind the driver window is blatently meant to be black with the rubber underneath and looks 10x better being black aswell.

ie:


It's such a simple change aswell.

(5 hours ago)Storx wrote I know it's a bit nitpicking and not unique to GNE but I wish when people designed bus designs they actually respected the bus design.

The panel behind the driver window is blatently meant to be black with the rubber underneath and looks 10x better being black aswell.

ie:


It's such a simple change aswell.

It's looks much better to be fair.

You know what is even more strange is seeing a Streetdeck without the glass staircase when your so used to seeing one.

Will the new Consett allocated Ultroliners be allocated to the Sunday 47 boards, given that they won't be needed on the Sunday X45 due to the interworkings with the X30 & X72?