North East Buses

R852 PRG · 23 Nov 2015, 7:25 pm

May as well make a post in this thread.

Although it's a topic that I've covered many times previously on the forum; given that you're new here, and I like to recollect memories, I don't object to retelling the story. When I was younger, I used to ride the bus with my late grandad. He lived in Pelton, a village in the area of Chester-le-Street. We used to catch a bus from Pelton to Chester-le-Street just before 09:00 on the days that I was with him; it was either the 775 or 778, now the present day 78 route with elements of the 8 incorporated into it. The vehicle was almost always one of Stanley depot's Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renowns. After having a wander around the town centre for a short while, we would then catch a bus back up to Pelton. Depending on what we had done and how much time we had consumed; it was typically either the 775/778 (again, with a Wright Renown nine times out of ten), or the 729 (which had a tendency to throw up a DAF SB220GS/Plaxton Prestige). Although it wasn't exactly a hobby at that age; it was something I used to love doing and enjoyed. Upon starting secondary education in the 2012-2013 academic year; I began catching the bus (now either the 8 or 78) up to my grandad's house. I enjoyed the feeling of independence that it initially gave me, and I began doing it every weekend. As it had done when I travelled on the bus with my late grandad when I was younger; the allocation was still Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renowns. The service had since fallen into the hands of a branded route; known as the ''Lime'' – in contrast to the distinct ''Red, Blue and Yellow'' livery that the vehicles wore when I first took an interest in them all of those years ago. Fleet numbers 4850-4855 were based at Chester-le-Street depot, along with 4896 – and the allocation was split between that depot and Stanley. When I was younger; the service was operated entirely by Stanley depot. Chester-le-Street then (and still do now) had something of a monopolistic share of the Peak Vehicle Requirement, with a PVR of 7. Fleet numbers 4897-4902 were then the vehicles based at Stanley. All 13 Renowns wore ''Lime'' branding at this point in time. As time went by; I began to expand further out on my adventures, and started travelling on the bus to Newcastle, Durham, Sunderland, Stanley, the MetroCentre and other places. I also began to enjoy riding 4862/4864-4866 on the ''Lambton Worm'' 34/34A services; with the throaty roar of the DAF SB220GS engine collaborated with the ZF Ecomat gearbox; producing a fantastic noise. Some other vehicles that reminded me of my earliest memories were 4983-4987; branded for the ''Waggonway'' 28/28A services. All marvellous vehicles; I'd love to spend a day riding them on their respective routes. In September 2013; the first big change took place. Five of Washington depot's Solars; 4956-4960, transferred to Chester-le-Street to replace 4983-4987. They were withdrawn overnight and disposed of almost immediately. I didn't get the chance for a final goodbye. Then again, in November; 4862/4864-66 were displaced by Versas 8302-8304 from Deptford. With the DAFs gone, and the realisation that the Renowns on the ''Lime'' routes weren't too far away from their fates; I began making the most of my opportunities with them. In early March 2014; my grandad was suddenly diagnosed with Stage 4 stomach cancer, and passed away on the 31st March. It was such a short period of time, and I struggled to understand how it had happened all so fast. One minute he was there, and then the next, he was not. I'm still not completely over his death, and think about him constantly. Luckily, I still had a while with my Renowns. In August of that year; 4850-4852 were withdrawn from Chester-le-Street. I began spending entire days riding the remaining vehicles; in that time, 4896-4902 were all repainted into the company's corporate livery; hinting at their survival after being replaced on the routes. 4853-4855; the remaining ''Lime'' Renowns at Chester-le-Street, made it until May before being displaced by the Wright Streetlites that had been chosen for the route. They just sound depressing, uninspiring, and whingey. Much like myself. Fortunately; 4855 was preserved by the Northern National Restoration Group. I'm a core member of the group, and was offered a lift to Seaburn in Leyland National Mk2 4710, which I was very appreciative of. I am looking forward to being reunited with 4855 in the future. Anyway, that's pretty much the story of why I'm interested in buses. It's basically because of the memories I have of riding them with my late grandad. Brief life-story over.

My other interests include trains; I enjoy travelling on the train. I love the sight of an InterCity 125 or InterCity 225 in their natural habitats. Personally, I prefer to ride the latter over the former; although the former holds a more historic appeal than the latter, the latter offers a more comfortable journey. Although I hate flying; I'm also fascinated by aviation, especially the larger aircraft such as Boeing 747s and Airbus A380s. In terms of education; I am a fan of reading, preferably dystopian novels. George Orwell's ''Animal Farm'' and ''1984'' are both enjoyable reads, if not somewhat depressing. I don't find the community particularly enjoyable; although I contribute what I can to it, there are some who just fail to understand the views of others, and when they are wrong and not right. Some of whom, regrettably, lurk on the forum. The ''proles'' as I call them (referencing back to ''1984''). I won't name names. It's a difficult community to enjoy when it is filled with some of the most distasteful of people. However; I have a select group of friends within the community, of whom's friendship I am most grateful for. Despite being brought up in a middle-class family with a bright future ahead for me; I am very cynical and it often shows. Hopefully this answers your question.

Marcus

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