On Wednesday I took a trip to Middleton In Teesdale from Gateshead and back via Durham and Bishop Auckland using GNE and Scarlet Band Buses. My first bus of the day was GNE 6037, a Plaxton bodied Volvo B7 on the 8.45 X21 from Gateshead. The bus arrived on time and there were no issues with the journey. The bus was painted in Pronto livery and was starting to show its age of 15 years. None the less, we arrived in Durham bus station on time. I was hoping for one of the demonstrators but this was not to be.

I alighted at Durham and spent about half a hour spotting and getting some photographs. In addition to the usual GNE and Arriva stock, there was a healthy presence of independents in the form of Scarlet Band and Stanley Travel. I was pleased to see a number of Darts from GNE operating East Durham services and was able to get some decent photos of them near the bus station. It is interesting to contrast the Darts with Arriva’s new vehicles operating the Sapphire services to see how the style of bodywork has evolved since they first entered service. I also noted a number of mini and midi buses from Witton Gilbert based Colors Taxis.

At 9.55, I boarded GNE 6041, for the next stage of my journey from Durham to Bishop Auckland on the X21. This bus is in a similar condition to 6037 and also operates in Pronto livery. The journey was OK, but the driver was going a bit too fast between Coundon Gate and Bishop Auckland which caused peoples’ belongings to go all over the floor when he braked suddenly. There were no other concerns over the journey. We passed the site of the former OK travel headquarters in Bishop Auckland which is now completely demolished. I had enjoyed many interesting visits to this garage in the 1980s and 1990s. The OK staff were always helpful and used to let me look around.

On arrival at Bishop Auckland I was pleased to see vehicles from a variety of independent operators. These were S & B, Scarlet Band, Weardale Motor Services, Eden and Durham County Council. I was able to get some good photos of all of these operators’ vehicles. I also got some good photos of Arriva and GNE stock, including GNE’s OK branded Darts. GNE’s Dennis demonstrator also arrived on the next X21 and I was able to get a good set of photos. I enjoyed my time at Bishop Auckland greatly and would have stayed longer if possible.

At 11.05 I boarded a very busy Scarlet Band 85 service to Barnard Castle. The vehicle was 28 seater Optare M880, NX55FFS. The bus left slightly late due to the heavy loading and the friendly driver trying to find the option for my Explorer ticket on his machine. By the time we reached the outskirts of Bishop Auckland it was standing room only. A number of passengers alighted at the supermarket at Tindale Crescent. The bus remained full for the remainder of the journey with all seats taken. The driver was able to make up time on the quiet country roads. It had been a number of years since I last travelled this route, so I sat back and enjoyed the beautiful countryside of the Gaunless Valley.

We passed the depots of Eden at West Auckland and Watsons at Staindrop. The last time I spotted at Staindrop, I visited the premises of the now defunct Stirks Coaches, which used to be based near the village green. There were a number of Watsons vehicles present at the operating centre at the village edge. Scarlet Band also have a small outstation in Staindrop. The bus also gave excellent views of the magnificent Raby Castle, ancestral home of Lord Barnard. The only disappointing aspect of the journey was passing the site of the former United depot at Bishop Auckland which is looking very forlorn.

The bus arrived at Barnard Castle on time and I alighted outside Teesdale School. I then took a path through the school grounds and passed the premises of Teesdale Community Resources. This charity operates a single minibus on a non-profit basis. The path brought me out on Harmire Road near the swimming pool. It was a short walk to Stephen Maude’s depot. Maude’s run an interesting fleet of 10 vehicles ranging from midi buses to full size coaches. There are no longer any deckers in the fleet.

Mr Maude was very friendly and had no problems with me looking around the premises. I was able to get some really good photos, the majority of the fleet being present. Mr Maude invited me into the office and showed me his family’s photo album. This had pictures of Maude’s vehicles from the 1930s onwards. It was fascinating to see how much bus design had changed over of the years. What I also found very interesting was how the styles of clothing and fashion varied with time. The album gave a good indication of the changing vehicle policies of an independent rural centred operator. I thanked Mr Maude and his staff for a most enjoyable visit and continued on my way.

My next stop was Figgy Bus which is a relatively new minibus operator at Barnard Castle. They have a small fleet of smartly presented minibuses. This was the first time I had ever spotted their vehicles. The owner was working in her garden and I was able to get some good photos of the minibuses. I then walked to Barnard Castle town centre. Being market day, the town was very busy. I was able to get some photos of Scarlet Band, Hodgsons and Arriva vehicles. I also visited the main car park which had a number of touring coaches parked up along with more Scarlet Band vehicles. I then had a good look around the market and shops.

I was waiting for the bus to Middleton In Teesdale when Cumbria Classic Coaches 1959 Bristol Lodekka 627HFM arrived on the 572 service from Kirkby Stephen. The bus was full with market day shoppers and I was able to get some good photos. The bus tried to park in the main coach park but this was full, I therefore was able to get photos of it perilously reversing up the town’s narrow back streets in search of an alternative parking space.

My next bus was Scarlet Band MX55WCZ (another Optare) which I took straight to Middleton In Teesdale using the 95 service. The bus was branded for the service 20 Neasham – Sadberge. This was a good journey through beautiful villages. I had drunk in many of the small country pubs along the way years ago and was glad to see they were still all open. The countryside in Upper Teesdale is really lovely and I had a great view of the rugged hills in the distance.

We arrived at Middleton In Teasdale on time and I alighted at Chapel Row. I visited the premises of Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services Limited (UTASS). This charity runs a minibus service on a Thursday evenings for people wishing to travel into Middleton In Teesdale for social and leisure activities. They also do a great deal of work with the isolated farming community in Upper Teesdale. The charity runs a single Ford Transit on a Section 19 Permit. Next I visited the former garage Of Teesdale Coach Services (Jewitts). This former partnership used to be one of largest bus operators in Teesdale, working scholars and local stage services as part of the former Rural Ride network. It was a shame to see that the depot is now derelict and that the garage building has been demolished.  

I then took a slow walk to Alston Road and visited the premises of Tallentire which operates a small minibus fleet. Ian Tallentire is one of the trustees of UTASS. Finally I visited Hodgsons' small outstation in the former railway station yard after a nice walk over the fields and across a footbridge. You can walk most of the way from Barnard Castle to Middleton In Teesdale along the former railway which is now footpath and cycleway. There was a single coach present at the outstation. It was now lunch time so I ate my packed lunch on the village green and explored the rest of the village. Middleton In Teesdale is a lovely place and is well worth a visit.

Scarlet Band Optare NX55FFR to took me back to Barnard Castle at 13.27. The bus was sparsely used with only 7 passengers (including myself) during the entire length of the journey. We arrived at Barnard Castle on time and I decided to get some photos of the Bowes Museum. After a short walk I arrived at this stunning building and got some great external shots. There was an exhibition of Yves Saint Laurent’s work and life on at the museum. I’m glad my partner was not aware, or she would have spent all day in there! I then walked back into the town centre via Barnard Castle School. I was able to photograph the school’s small minibus fleet which runs on a Section 19 Permit.    

The 15.43 Scarlet Band service took me back to Bishop Auckland using NX55FFS again. The service was well used and I enjoyed the return journey. At West Auckland Eden’s garage was open and I was able to spot their preserved Bristol LH and Leyland Leopard. Next it was back on GNE 6041 working the 16.37 X21. Again I hoping for one of the demonstrators but my luck was not in. This bus arrived at Durham on time.

I decided to take a break at Durham and got some tea. I then did a bit spotting by the bus station. My final bus of the day was GNE 6069 working the 17.26 service 21 to Newcastle. This journey was on time and passed off without incident. It was a good trip and I enjoyed visiting places that I had not been to in a long time. All the buses were on time, there were no drunken passengers and I did not injure myself. I would definitely do this journey again. If I could make a change, I would attempt to reach Hodgson’s garage which is located on a farm about 2 miles from Barnard Castle. Guess I’ll need my walking boots and map for that visit when I get round to doing it.

Charles