Having ceased to review my Get Around adventures in recent months, I've decided to review today's as it was such a great outing.
08:30 78 5338 Chester-le-Street Red Lion to Sunderland Park Lane Interchange
After waking to an 07:30 alarm, I checked my phone to be informed by Adrian that he was bailing on the Explorer we had planned for today, as he had strained his neck. Decided to head out regardless, although on just a Get Around, and see where I ended up. After leaving my house at bang-on 08:00, I walked along the banks of the River Wear, and through the Riverside Park, before weaving my way onto the Front Street at 08:25. Slightly different route to usual, but I fancied a change. I was also shown the effects of the recent weather, with lots of flooding around. On my walk, I decided I would catch the 08:33 78, as that was what I had planned to catch anyway, which I was overjoyed to see was in the hands of 5338; one of two former-Southern Vectis 06-plate Mercs that reside in the fleet. Certainly made a pleasant change from a Wright Streetlite, and handled the route faultlessly. An excellent ZF gearbox was present, and collaborated with the Mercedes 0530N engine, producing a great noise. Bus remained lightly loaded throughout the entire journey, which was an added bonus. An excellent start to the outing.
09:31 9 4911 Sunderland Park Lane Interchange to Jarrow Bus Station
After alighting in the interchange and then walking out of the bus station to get some photos, I didn't have long to wait until Deptford-based B10BLE 4911 appeared and entered into the stand for the 9. The driver turned the engine off, as he had almost ten minutes before being due out, and I took a few more photos before heading across five minutes prior to the 09:34 departure time. The driver greeted me and said good morning to me as I boarded, to which I happily returned. 4911 was one of the few Wright Renowns that I still needed for haulage prior to today, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to get it ticked off. Had the bus to myself until Fawcett Street, where three ''twirlies'' boarded. Not long after the Wheatsheaf area, the driver took a wrong turn, seemingly thinking he was on the 20/20A, and then informing us that he doesn't do the 9 very often, hence the error. Another enjoyable ride, and I was happy to have another Renown ticked off for haulage.
10:22 27 5312 Jarrow Bus Station to Newcastle Market Street East
Having jumped off 4911, I then located the shelter for the Newcastle-bound 27. Was hoping that I might strike oil and land another B10BLE, but alas, a ''Crusader'' branded Citaro came into the bus station. Fortunately, it was 5312, which was required for haulage, and so I was content with it for the journey through to Newcastle. My second Citaro of the day, so I tried to compare it to 5338. The gearbox and engine noise wasn't as great as in 5338, and it was quite sluggish when pulling away, so 5338 came out on top. Never sampled one of these on the 10, prior to the introduction into service of 6071-6083, and I think they'd be quite interesting. Can't imagine they'd struggle with the route itself, just the loading capacity being an issue with a single decker on such a popular and well-patroned route.
11:30 X30 3831 Newcastle Eldon Square Bus Station to Stanley Bus Station
Dan informed me that a couple of Olympians had escaped out into service today, and I decided to catch 3830 on the 12:30 ''Northern'' 6 from Stanley to Newcastle, which would mean an X30/X31 up to Stanley, so after alighting 5312 on Market Street, I walked to Eldon Square to catch the next one; which I discovered on my arrival was due at 11:30. I had ten minutes to kill, and I then recognised a familiar face driving an ''Angel'' Hybrid on the next stand. An older man called Eddie, a long-serving driver at Chester-le-Street, who I hadn't seen in a few months. We had a quick catch-up, and he informed me of his dislike for the Streetlites, and how annoying it is when they cut out, turning all of the systems off. I was quite surprised he could remember me, given the break in contact. Our conversation was stopped short when I saw a ''Yellow Bus'' Olympian coming in with the X30. Quickly bade Eddie farewell, and noted that it was my favourite of the Olympians; 3831. Had the upper saloon entirely to myself which I was pleased about, and 3831 flew along the route. Sounding brilliant as it powered past the Tanfield Railway; my favourite section of the X30/X31 route.
12:26 6 3830 Stanley Bus Station to Newcastle Eldon Square Bus Station
After arriving in Stanley at 12:05, I had over twenty minutes to kill until 3830 was expected. Photographed a couple of Citaros, 3831 leaving with a journey back to Newcastle, and then the extreme rarity of ''Red Kite'' 5413 operating the ''Coast & Country'' services. The fog was very low, so this allowed for some nice photos in some different weather conditions to usual. The time passed quite quickly, and before long, I heard the unmistakable sound of an Olympian approaching. Headed back into the bus station where I joined the short queue for the 6, the driver was an older Stanley driver of a different ethnic descent, who I recognised from my previous outings. Seems like a nice guy. After departing, with a few others on the top deck (managed to grab the offside front seats, with the great legroom), we made a long stop in Annfield Plain while the driver radioed control for a taxi, as we encountered a wheelchair user passenger. Most people jumped ship at the MetroCentre, and I had the entire bus to myself for the remaining journey through to Newcastle. Was overjoyed to have managed two Olympians today.
14:40 X21 9119 Newcastle Eldon Square Bus Station to Chester-le-Street Clifford Terrace
I was informed that Lolyne 3875 was operating the 14:55 X25, and after arriving in Newcastle at 14:05ish, I decided to stick around for that back to Chester-le-Street. Got a photo of 3831 re-entering Newcastle with another X30, and a charver gentleman (barely scrapes that word - more like scum) approached me in an aggressive manner, enquiring as to whether or not I was taking photographs on behalf of the Islamic State. Looked absolutely coked out of his mind, so unlike the fellow in Stockton last week, who again seemed to have an issue, I laughed it off and walked away. When I returned to the bus station, I saw Streetdeck demonstrator 9119 entering with the 14:35 service to Bishop Auckland. As I'd not yet rode it following it's transfer back to Crook to cover for 6021's withdrawal, I decided that 3875 would have to be for another day, and joined the queue for that. Did not recognise the driver, so I'm going on the assumption that he is the new driver at Crook, following Stu Gray's departure and pdiddy's consequent rise to power. The Daimler engine in the Streetdeck was quite nice, and sounded nicer than that of a Cummins in a Streetlite (which I shouldn't really say, given that my dad is a senior manager for Cummins!). Wasn't bad overall, although the driver lost about five minutes in Chester-le-Street because he began to converse with another driver. Quite annoying when you should be on the A167 to Durham and you're sat at the bottom of the Front Street...
Was home for around 15:30, having had a superb day out. Struck yellow twice, and managed another ride on the Streetdeck to see if anything had changed following it's extensive trial. Put simply: not much at all. Thanks for reading, and enjoy the rest of your weekend.
R852 PRG