(07 Sep 2013, 8:51 pm)Daniel wrote Aureolin made a brilliant post on this thread originally which was moved into the suggestions thread which was created so that this thread doesn't get too off-topic.
See here for said post.
Every operator, regardless of what colour the bus is, has unusual allocations. Every (big) operator has an allocation list, specifying what should be allocated to which service. It irritates me when cynics say, "Ditch branding - paint every bus red and get rid of branding..." Of course it is easier to spot a Go North East odd working to a Stagecoach North East/Arriva North East odd working (exception being if the bus is actually branded or in a special livery), but every operator does have its odd workings.
I find with Go North East that (assuming a depot's spare vehicle percentage can accommodate for this) Northern B10BLEs cover for more prestigious services which have Euro 5 vehicles usually. This is followed by Cadets, and in turn followed by SPDs. I've frequently seen Northern B10BLEs on the 2A/2C, but a SPD is used a lot less.
What do most define a GNE odd working as though? A branded vehicle appearing off-route. When it comes to Northerns, I just look at the vehicle type the service usually has when it is branded. If it's nothing similar at all, it's a 'rare Northern working'.
It is easier to judge rare Northern workings when it comes to unbranded services. A double decker appearing on the 39 is quite rare because it is usually allocated an MPD. An MPD being allocated to a service which runs off onto a scholar? Of course that will be rare too.
So is the Cadet that has been on the M1 for a few days this week, classed as rare or not?
Just it's usually Renowns or SPD's if the Solars are missing...
