#36 – Chester-le-Street Durham County Cricket Ground to Houghton-le-Spring Church – (09:49 --- 10:11) – Go North East 5203 – Scania L94UB/Wright Solar
While my dad works Monday to Friday, my mam has Tuesdays and Fridays off. On the other days, the puppy goes along to my grandma's, as do I (in the holidays), for my lunch at least. His usual routine is to be walked at around 09:30, so I walked with my grandma and the puppy towards the area of the bus stop, before leaving them. I didn't have to wait long until the 36 was due, at 09:50. Before I knew it, I rolled my eyes at the sight of a red Wright Solar coming down Ropery Lane. I know it's hardly preventable, and not really blameable, but it does annoy me when I am landed with a red spare vehicle, as opposed to a gold Mercedes Citaro (the allocation). I wouldn't mind in the slightest if it was a Wright Renown, but I keep having to make do with the Solars... About five passengers were already on board when I boarded, a couple of whom alighted in Great Lumley. A few more passengers joined us in Fencehouses, and we pulled into Houghton-le-Spring with a load of around fifteen passengers. I'm not sure, but I think the driver was one of the Polish drivers employed at Deptford. He seemed to have quite an Eastern European accent when I boarded and said hello, to which he responded. The bus itself was alright; I've travelled on Wright Solars countless times before and know for a fact that the majority are nothing special.
#X1 – Houghton-le-Spring Church to Gateshead Transport Interchange – (10:24 --- 11:18) – Go North East 6029 – Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President
When I alighted at Houghton-le-Spring Church, I noticed how quiet it was. Only a couple of old aged pensioners were hanging around for their buses, and I saw a Wright Renown, 4908, was standing with it's engines turned off, on the 38 to Rainton Bridge. I decided I would take a photo. At the risk of sounding a bit pathetic, I'm very uncomfortable taking photos on my own. I don't know what it is, but it's just a fear of being approached by the wrong person... Nevertheless, I snapped a few pictures of it. Then, a ''Prince Bishops'' branded Scania came in, I got a few photos of that, before I snapped a Wright Solar on the 4, then I put my camera away. As I watched the 4 go past; I saw a fat little teenage charver at the back; brandishing the stereotypical blue and white hoodie, bang on the window and stick his fingers up at me. My response was the same straight back to him. Chubby little scruff. Before long, a Volvo President appeared, working the ''Red Arrows'' X1 service to Newcastle. Here, I would be meeting Adam, so I boarded. I sat at the back upstairs. There were decent passenger numbers throughout; I had the same driver as last time, with the Tyne and Wear PTE badges on his blazer. He was very helpful to one woman, who asked for a return to Newcastle and explained she would be using the Metro from there. After he couldn't work out what it was she wanted, he stopped the bus and came upstairs; handing her a North East Explorer and apologising for the inconvenience. It's quite rare to have a driver be so helpful, I know some of them couldn't care less...
#X71 – Gateshead Transport Interchange to Newcastle, Eldon Square Bus Station – (11:20 --- 11:30) – Go North East 6122 – Scania N94UD/East Lancs OmniDekka
After a driver changeover at the Galleries, it was a smooth journey until Gateshead Interchange, when the driver turned the engine off and asked us all to board the bus behind... He was quite a pleasant guy as well, smiling at me and giving me a wink as I thanked him when I alighted. It turned out ''the bus behind'' was Scania OmniDekka 6122, working the X71 service to Newcastle. A NEXUS employee was guiding confused passengers on board. The entire lower saloon was packed, so I headed upstairs. The seats most forward on the saloon were all taken, but it was rather quiet towards the rear, so I sat a few rows from the back. Even though it was a very short journey, I was impressed with the power of the OmniDekka. 6122 was one that I had needed prior to today, so I was quite happy. My next goal in terms of the OmniDekkas is either 6131 or 6133 (both of which are refurbished with blue Go North East seating). When we finally pulled into Eldon Square, I walked up to the ''Red Arrows'' stand to find Adam sitting awaiting my arrival. We headed out of Eldon Square, and made our way down to Market Street.
#27 – Newcastle, Market Street East to Gateshead Transport Interchange – (12:00 --- 12:12) – Go North East 4903 – Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown
Upon arrival at Market Street, I took a few photographs while Adam hung around patiently. On his ''hit list'' was 5380, the only ''Citylink'' branded Optare Versa he required. He asked if we could stick around to see if it showed at all; we observed 5386, 5385 and I think 5379, but no 5380. After we decided to head to Gateshead next, I was treated with the sight of Wright Renown 4903 (W903 RBB); a former Stanley-based vehicle. It was once a ''Lime'' vehicle, in years gone by when the services served Castleside (and thus requiring a higher PVR – I believe the other vehicles were 4904 and 4905). Once we'd boarded, and sat ourselves down at the quadrant; we sat for about five minutes, leaving the city centre with a load of about fifteen passengers. It was only a short trip to Gateshead, granted, but nevertheless this machine got us there in no time. 4903 was filled with power and speed, I was quite disappointed to alight. I recall it was always quite a good ride when it was based at Stanley, and used to creep out onto the ''Lime''.
#96 – Gateshead Transport Interchange to MetroCentre Transport Interchange – (12:20 --- 12:53) – Go North East 4914 – Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown
We observed the various stand alterations in Gateshead Interchange, it's going to take me a while to be able to completely figure out where everything is. I quite liked how things were; I'm disappointed that Stand H has got some of the mainstream Old Durham Road ''money pit'' services, as that corner will be mayhem at peak times. Heaven forbid something breaks down on that corner... After a quick trip somewhere for lunch, we decided to board Renown 4914 on the 96 across to the MetroCentre. Left Gateshead Interchange with a decent number of passenger aboard; we ate until we hit Lobley Hill; most passengers had alighted by then, but others were starting to board, intent on heading to the MetroCentre. One thing I like about the 95/96/64A services, is that they're ideal for bashing the Renowns. I was impressed with how this Gateshead native managed the route, even though it is far from demanding, having a powerful bus is always going to be good. Initially, we were going to alight at Riverside to have a wander around the perimeter of the depot, however we decided to just go to the MetroCentre instead. We saw a Weardale Motor Services ALX400 parked up in the coach park, so I went across to get some photos of that. Adam pointed out the trains running quite frequently, so I got a few photos over the course of around twenty minutes. After I was finished, we made our way back into the MetroCentre Interchange.
#31 – MetroCentre Transport Interchange to Newcastle, Eldon Square Bus Station – (13:40 --- 14:03) – Go North East 4918 – Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown
I told Adam he could pick our next move. As he watched for anything of interest, I saw a B10BLE come in with the 31 to Newcastle. Instinctively, I led him towards it. I listened to two drivers talking as we queued to board; the older looking one commented that the younger looking driver had only been driving for twenty weeks, while he had been a driver for twenty years. He did seem like quite a skilled driver, it has to be said. We left the MetroCentre with between fifteen and twenty passengers. A handful boarded along the road; Adam and I sat at the seats just above the step up from the OAP section. It was quite a smooth runner, although it seemed to sound a little bit dodgy. I can't pinpoint what it was, but it wasn't as nice as 4903 and 4914 earlier today. I'd scored a hatrick by riding three B10BLEs in one go. My personal favourite was 4903, it just provided the best journey. Once we'd pulled into Eldon Square, I asked Adam where he had in mind for our next move. We had seen a Lolyne on the X43 when at the railway station earlier, so he asked if we could double back to the MetroCentre and catch it from there.
#46 – Newcastle, Eldon Square Bus Station to MetroCentre Transport Interchange – (14:07 --- 14:23) – Go North East 5413 – Wright Streetlite DF/Wright Streetlite Micro-Hybrid
As we needed to be at the MetroCentre for 14:30; we boarded the first thing we could see that would take us there. This was ''Red Kite'' branded 5413; which was seemingly running late. Leaving Eldon Square as the next run entered, we kept our eyes on the time. At 14:17, we crossed the Redheugh Bridge, and thankfully made it to the MetroCentre for 14:23. We had a few minutes until the X43 was due, rather than a risky two-minute connection. As ever, the Wright Streetlite had an annoying ''whingey'' noise whenever it decelerated. It lacked power on one or two clear stretches of road. It was comfortable enough inside, but it was very warm. One problem I have with the Streetlites is the fact that there are only three windows, and they are at the front of the bus. Why? I don't see why they can't fit more windows, surely having only three windows, all of which are focused on one area of the buses, is treading water in terms of Health & Safety? Somebody could pass out at the back in boiling hot weather.
#X43 – MetroCentre Transport Interchange to Stanley Bus Station – (14:29 --- 15:01) – Go North East 3873 – Dennis Trident/East Lancs Lolyne
Within a few minutes, 3873 appeared on the X43. It was one that Adam needed, having not made a journey since it left it's duties on the X25 in Chester-le-Street, and headed up to Stanley. Quite a queue was waiting to board, when we pulled away from the MetroCentre, I would say around twenty five passengers were on board, around ten of whom were upstairs with us. At the back, was a very rowdy family. They weren't very pleasant. The Trident really struggled getting up the Whickham Bank; I'm not exaggerating, but it was going at 10mph at best, and had a long queue of cars forming behind it. On other banks on the route, it kept struggling. However, the melodious and beastly engine of the Lolyne was nice to listen to. When we got to Stanley, more-or-less on time, I headed onto the Front Street to see what was going on. I met a woman outside of the bus station, I asked her if she was working - she said it was 30 for oral; 50 for full sex. I heard a group of young teenage charvers rambling on with their cigarettes, at the entrance to the bus station. As I headed down towards Greggs, I saw a few civilians running for their lives, as a squadron of pigeons opened fire from above. Two of them were hit, while the other two made it indoors. Unfortunately, the pigeons saw this, and bombed the building they hid in. Outside of ''£ stretcher''; I saw a young teenage girl giving birth, unaided. A yobbo charver then threw a bottle of alcohol through a shop window, causing a series of fires and a massive mushroom cloud. In the midst of the chaos, shots were fired; and I retreated back to the bus station. Stanley really is a god-forsaken place.
#8 – Stanley Bus Station to Chester-le-Street South Burns – (15:10 --- 15:40) – Go North East 5408 – Wright Streetlite DF/Wright Streetlite Micro-Hybrid
When we re-entered the bus station, it was rather quiet. The mayhem going on outside could not be heard from inside of the bus station. Within moments, I saw a ''Coast & Country'' Streetlite come around the roundabout, I knew this was going to operate the 8 service back to Chester-le-Street. As it pulled in, I noticed it was 5408 – I've had this particular example countless times over recent weeks. Like any other Streetlite, it was a rather boring journey. Adam and I just talked throughout, the passenger numbers weren't bad. It got quite intense when we reached Chester-le-Street; it was creeping up to 15:40, and Adam's X25 was due at 15:42... Fortunately, he made it. My mam had headed up to do some shopping, so I received a lift home. The weather had made a turn for the worst while we were on the 8, and to be honest, I didn't fancy the long walk home from my bus stop on the Chester-le-Street to Durham route.
It was a nice little outing, I enjoyed it very much. I got three B10 rides out of it, so I was obviously very satisfied. Thanks Adam for the company. I'll continue uploading my photos to Flickr later this evening, thank you for reading.
Marcus