On Monday this week, I had one of my best bus outings by far. I decided to try out the new North Tynedale services operated by Go Ahead and PCL travel. This was the first day of operations for Go Ahead and PCL on the new routes. My first bus of the day was GNE 5229. This was a Wrightbus bodied Scania operating the 8.00 X85 from Newcastle to Hexham.

The bus left on time with only a small number of passengers, however we picked up further people along the way. The bus was very clean and performed well, especially on the motorway section. The sound of the transmission when accelerating reminded me of a Leyland National. The weather looked and good and I had the feeling it was going to be an interesting day.

We arrived promptly in Hexham at 8.47, my next bus was not until 9.10. I went and got some breakfast and took some photos at Hexham bus station. Hexham depot seems to be becoming a stronghold for Dennis Darts. I was therefore able to get some decent photos of these at the bus station, including vehicles branded for the Hadrian’s Wall summer season AD122 service. I was concerned however that the bus station timetables had not been changed by Northumberland County Council. They still showed Howard Snaith and Tyne Valley as the operators of the Bellingham (pronounced Bell-ing-jam) route with the old timings.

My next bus was the 680 Hexham to Bellingham service. This was operated by Scania 5229 and left with only 2 passengers; an old guy and myself. The journey was excellent with amazing views of the North Tyne Valley. The most people on the bus during the entire journey was only 4. I was surprised that a smaller vehicle such as a Dart had not been used. I was the only passenger who was not a pensioner, the driver had to explain to each person how to use the ticket machine with their concessionary passes. At Acomb there was a small group of irate commuters. They were waiting for the Hexham bus to get to work. It would appear that they were not aware of the change in timetable or operator. We passed through the village of Wark (pronounced Waalk), I was heartened to see that all 3 pubs in the village are still open.

My bus arrived at Bellingham on time and I asked the driver about the Kielder service. To my dismay he said that this service only runs on a Tuesday. I showed him the new timetable with details of PCL’s service but he was none the wiser. With some trepidation I stood outside the Heritage Centre waiting for my connection with PCL Travel. A healthy number of passengers were waiting for the return bus to Hexham.

If you have not visited the Heritage Centre, I strongly recommend it. There are many interesting exhibits on the Border Counties Railway along with the area’s farming and industrial history. The adult admission cost is £4.50 per adult or £8 for a family group. Make sure you check out the phone booths where you can listen to the North Tyne accent. Also ask the staff about the “Robson face”. There is an old railway coach next to Heritage Centre which is used as a café.

Its also worth taking a walk to Hareshaw Lynn which is a beautiful waterfall at the end of a wooded gorge. The path can be pretty muddy though, so take an old pair of boots. If you visit the waterfall, you can walk back into Bellingham down the route of the old mineral railway. You should not attempt this if you are at all afraid of cattle. The beasts have little human contact in this isolated location and come running over the fields towards you in an urge to satisfy their curiosity.

At 10.05 Walton’s Mercedes Benz 614D, SF06YNG pulled into the Heritage Centre car park. I went and asked the driver if this was the Kielder service or if it was just a day trip. It was indeed the Kielder service; PCL had borrowed the bus for the day. This was the driver’s first trip to Kielder, he had just worked the Byrness to Bellingham service. I was the only passenger and we left Bellingham on time. It soon became apparent that the driver did not know the route as we started heading towards to Wark. I had travelled this route a long time ago with Snaiths and had my Ordinance Survey map with me. So with me navigating, we returned to Bellingham and took the correct road.

The journey to Kielder was good and the countryside amazing. The driver was a really friendly guy and we had a good chat on the way. PCL currently have one coach and one minibus. They also operate a fleet of courier vehicles. The owner, Mr Cowell was away on business, sourcing a new vehicle to operate the 5 year contract obtained from Northumberland County Council. This covers a number of former Snaith’s routes and will keep one easy-access minibus busy for most of the working week. We arrived at Kielder on time but could not find the Post Office which is the terminal point of the service. We parked up opposite the remote filling station which I was surprised to see is still open.

I had 45 minutes in Kielder so set out to explore the village. I visited the Forest Enterprise depot where I got some photos of their 16 seat Transit. This operates on a Section 19 Permit and takes visitors on tours of the forest, reservoir and observatory during summer months. Next I found the Post Office and had a look around Kielder Castle which Forest Enterprise use as offices and a visitor centre. The village is in a beautiful location but there’s no mobile phone signal. I also visited former the operating centre of the Kielder Trust. This charity used to run a shopping service to Hawick for the locals using a Ford Transit minibus. The garage has since been converted into a community gym operated by the charity.

We left Kielder on time at 11.25, the driver had in the meantime found a phone box and contacted his boss via landline to get further instructions. I took a short journey to Cranehaugh where I visited the Calvert Trust. This is a charity which provides outdoor adventure holidays for disabled persons. Its set in a lovely valley about half a mile from the reservoir and has numerous wooden chalets. It also has a large climbing wall, zip wires and an aerial assault course. I had such an urge to try the assault course but instead went looking for the charity’s minibus fleet. I was not disappointed; they have 3 minibuses and a midibus which operate on Section 19 Permits. The charity hires out it’s facilities to a number of community groups and schools.

I then walked down to the reservoir and took the waterside path to Tower Knowe visitor centre. This entailed a leisurely walk of about 2 miles. On the way I enjoyed my packed lunch and got some excellent photos of the reservoir. SF06YNG arrived on time at Tower Knowe Road End at 13.37. Again I was the only passenger; the driver had taken a single Eastern European passenger on the outward journey to Kielder. He tried to pay his fare with Mars Bars!

We arrived back at Bellingham on time and I changed to GNE 5229 which was operating the 14.03 680 to Hexham. There were more passengers using this service than in the morning. Again the driver had to keep explaining to each passenger how to use the concessionary pass system. After a pleasant journey in the afternoon sunshine, I alighted at Chollerford and visited the premises of coach operator Jewitts. There were 3 vehicles present which I was able to spot, however the staff did not permit me to take any photos.

I decided to walk to Acomb which was about 3 miles away. I crossed the Tyne at Chollerford and got some good pictures of the majestic broad river. I then walked into the village of Wall using the roadside path. At Wall, I struck across fields teeming with cattle and reached the hamlet of Fallowfield. Next I walked downhill into Acomb along a quiet country lane. At Acomb my first port of call was charity Daybreak Centres. This charity has in the past successfully tendered for contract bus work from NCC. They operate a small fleet of minibuses. They also have facilities at Minsteracres and at Cowgate Peoples’ Centre in Newcastle. They operate Transits in an all over white livery on a Section 19 Permit.

Next I visited the Primrose Coaches (Ian Plumley) garage. The staff were OK about me looking around the yard and I was able to get some good photos. Their yard was full and they have some interesting withdrawn stock at its rear. I walked around to Tyne Valley Coaches and was able to have a good look around the garage. Tyne Valley Coaches is a great place to visit with an interesting fleet. The proprietor is always friendly and welcoming. A number of the vehicles present have now been sold to Mr Plumley but are still kept at the Tyne Valley garage.

My next bus was Dennis Dart 555 operating the 16.10 682 service from Acomb Garage to Hexham. I was the only passenger on this service. When I checked the timetables at Acomb, I noted they had not been amended by NCC to reflect the service changes. The Dart performed OK on the short journey and I alighted at Hexham railway station. From the station I made the short walk to Burn Lane Industrial Estate. Firstly I visited Ecocabs, this operator has expanded markedly recently and there were 9 vehicles at the operating centre. However the premises were locked up and protected by a large bulldog so I could not get any photos. Bateys Taxis was my next port of call, their operating centre is a couple of minutes walk from Ecocabs. There were 4 minibuses present. They have a all over white livery and would appear to used on scholars contracts. One of the minibuses looked like it was withdrawn from service.

ADAPT’s garage was next on my list and I was pleased to see their premises were open. I was able to get some good photos of fleet which is parked in a central courtyard with a number of small business units situated along two sides. GNE’s Hexham depot was my final stop on the industrial estate. There were not many vehicles present, however I did get some shots of Darts and the former training vehicles which are now used on scholars services. I headed into the town centre and walked through the grounds of historic Hexham Abbey on my way.

I did a bit spotting at the bus station and then walked to Priory School. This special school operates two minibuses and I was able to get OK photos as a path runs right past their parking place. I boarded the 17.04 service 10 close to the school. This was operated by |GNE 6076, a Wrightbus bodied Volvo B9. This was a comfortable journey which I took to Prudhoe. On the way we passed Johnson’s operating centre at Mickley Square which had two vehicles present. These were a Mercedes and a Transit.

At Prudhoe, I alighted at the town centre and walked down to Hilary’s operating centre on Castle View. This was the first time I’d visited this operator’s premises and it took some finding. It comprises three separate parking places opposite a row of houses which overlook fields. Mr Hilary was surprised to see someone taking photos of his fleet, but was OK when I explained I was an enthusiast. The fleet comprises 5 vehicles including a King Long. I got directions from Mr Hilary and headed to Rowell Coaches’ depot on the Princess Way Industrial Estate.

Finding Rowell’s depot was easy enough, (its opposite the large Thompsons haulage yard) but it was locked up. I was able to spot the 3 Bovas present through the gates. Ian Plumley of Primrose Coaches also owns Rowells via a limited company. I then walked back upto town through a new housing estate on the site of the old colliery. I passed Prudhoe East Community Centre on the main street. The youth club based there used to operate a small fleet of minibuses, but there were no vehicles present on this occasion.

My final bus of the day was GNE 3963, a Wrightbus bodied Volvo which I took back to Newcastle on the 18.27 10B service. On the way we passed a number of Gateshead Central Taxis Bluebird bodied Fiat Ducatos operating Nexus secured services. There were no problems with the 10B and I arrived back in Newcastle exhausted but on time.

This was an amazing day, with excellent bus journeys, weather and scenery. I would definitely do this trip again and wish GNE and PCL Travel best of luck with their new services. You need a day to recover after it though; the clean air at Kielder knocks you out!

Sorry if this review seemed a bit long, so much to fit into one day. I hope you enjoyed it though.

PS. PCL Travel should have the new vehicle by next week.