Here is my small outing from today;
Ticket: 4x Teen Card discount fares - £3.60
1307--1311 #X21 Seaton Hirst to Ashington Bus Station / Arriva Northumbria ADL Enviro400 7505 (NK57 GWX)
A short hop on this Sapphire spec Enviro400, The service was pretty quiet for the time of day. After I alighted, I went to see if anymore Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis has entered service, but unfortunately they were in the depot with only 7412 parked in the yard, VOR.
1340--1420 #X20 Ashington Bus Station to Newcastle Haymarket / Arriva Northumbria ADL ALX400 7446 (NK05 GWY)
This was the first time that I've travelled on a 2005 ALX400, the ride was quite smooth compared to an older ALX400 and the newer Enviro400. The ride down the Spine Road was no faster than 45-50mph. We then used the alternative registered route of Sandy Lane as opposed to the A19 and the A1. Haymarket, as per usual was hell getting in, buses in other stands and Go North East vehicles in the X20 stand. I got off and wandered down to Eldon Square for some timetables. I took a few photos of Stagecoach Cumberland's 27141 before taking some photos of two Go North East Volvo B9TLs in plain red.
1459--1610 #X18 Newcastle Haymarket to Widdrington Station / Arriva Northumbria ADL Enviro400 7516 (NK09 FNC)
This was again my vehicle to the North, originally planning for Alnwick, but I wouldn't be home yet if I did that. The ride up to Morpeth was as boring as usual with nothing really to note. 7516 did seem a bit more sluggish than the last time I had her on the X15. A young boy was playing with a mango with what I assume, was his father, as you do. I got off in Widdrington Station, and took a quick snap of Arriva Northumbria's 7532 heading southbound. A few trains passed through at speed including Virgin Trains East Coast's 91125 and an Arriva CrossCountry Class 220 Voyager.
1638--1715 #1 Widdrington Station to Seaton Hirst / Arriva Northumbria ADL Mini Pointer Dart 1765 (NK05 GWD)
I was welcomed aboard this bus by a lovely driver who is a star to Arriva Blyth. She mentioned that I got around quite a lot after seeing me in Ashington a few hours earlier. By this time it was pitch black outside, the noise of rattles and the engine were so loud I couldn't hear my music! The bus didn't pick up any passengers up until Lynemouth, where one person boarded. Nobody else boarded until Ashington. Not long later, I approached my stop and thanked the driver.
The photos from today are now on my Flickr.
RE: Bus Related Outings and Reviews