(07 Mar 2015, 4:45 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote Had a fantastic day out with an Explorer today, taking a fair few photos and getting to see the steam charter through the MetroCentre were some personal highlights.
I woke up at 09:00, showered, got ready, etc, and left the house at 09:25. I walked through my housing estate, and made it to my local bus stop on the Chester-le-Street to Sunderland section for 09:34. My 78 would be leaving the bottom of Chester-le-Street at this time, and after waiting a short while, I saw her, a red Volvo B10BLE, approaching..
#78 - Chester-le-Street, Durham County Cricket Ground to Sunderland, Park Lane Interchange - (09:41 --- 10:16) - Go North East 4906 - Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown
Only 1 minute late, no big problem. When I boarded and asked for an Explorer, the driver knew exactly what I was on about (unlike my last Explorer kick-off on a 36!). Took my seat on the relatively empty bus, of which 4906 is a personal favourite, and stook my earphones in. Listened to a variety of songs from 'Break my Stride' by Matthew Wilder to 'Never gonna give you up' by Rick Astley (am I the only one on here who enjoys being RickRolled?). Anyway, I'm drifting off topic, my horse into Sunderland was very tame, and I disembarked in the interchange.
#E6 - Sunderland, Park Lane Interchange to South Shields, Town Centre - (10:22 --- 11:11) - Stagecoach North East 27737 - Dennis Enviro 300/Alexander Enviro
My first ride on one of these 'E' branded Enviros...and I thought it was rather good. Bus left Park Lane with just me and three OAPs on, then we hit Fawcett Street. About a dozen people got on, and the journey soon began to feel a little less enjoyable. The journey was very scenic, some of the views out to sea from Seaburn and the others along the route were most enjoyable, and the bus began to quieten down as we got to South Shields, with only about ten people on at best. What do I make of these E300s you ask? Hmm...seating was a bit stiffening, but aside from that, I felt it was a pretty good vehicle with plenty of oomph and power in it.
Tyne and Wear Metro - South Shields to Central Station - (11:19 --- 11:43) - Unidentified Metrocars
God, how confusingis South Shields Metro station? I wasn't sure which stairs to take up, and it felt like I was in the middle of Cairo with all the stalls and other random things I walked around. I hopped in the lift, and found my way to the platform. Soooo confusing. But I suppose that's because it's the first time I've ever visited the Metro at South Shields. After faffing on for a bit deciding whether or not I would get told off for just walking through the barriers with my Explorer, and not shown any inspector (remember, I am a very infrequent Metro user) - I went through the barriers and got on the waiting Metro. A quiet journey up until Pelaw, when people started to crowd on and standees began forming. Not bad, but I forgot to get the Metrocar numbers...
I disembarked at Central Station, and made my way up to the platforms. I stood at the top platform edges taking a few photos, when a few older enthusiasts came with big bulky cameras. Hardcore train-photters. I presumed they were waiting for the Virgin EC-liveried Class 91/DVT set to come through. Sure enough, as it approached 12:20, I saw a small group of lads come up too. I recognised one as being Lee, and with about half a dozen standing at the top platform, I decided to head down to the bottom of said platform to get a shot of the Class 82 that would be pushed in by the 91. This turned out to be a bad move, I didn't get a shot of 91124 as a result, and just had to make do with my photo of the Virgin-liveried 82...still pleased I got to see it and photograph it though!
Tyne and Wear Metro - Central Station to Haymarket - (12:34 --- 12:37) - Metrocars 4076 & 4081
Now, I made sure I noted these Metrocars. The train looked rather crowded as it rolled in, and I was forced to stand. What made my day somewhat, was a Virgin EC employee who had his bag stuck in the crowd when trying to disembark at Monument; when I loosened it for him (me being the legend I am), he smiled at me, said ''thanks a lot, son'', and gave me a pat on the arm to show his appreciation as he got off. Thought that was nice of him. No real notes to make on this short 3 minute journey. I guess it was alright.
#X22 - Newcastle, Haymarket Bus Station to Regent Centre Metro - (12:43 --- 12:53) - Arriva North East 7502 - Alexander Dennis/Enviro 400
My first ever ride on one of these refurbished examples (think my other two have been 7525 and 7528) and I have to say I preferred it to my other two experiences. The seats didn't feel as slippery and leathery as my other two experiences, and speaking of seats, I had the front right-hand seats to myself for the whole of the short journey. Vehicle was very smooth, and I thought it made a very nice ride.
#43 - Regent Centre Metro to Newcastle, Haymarket Bus Station - (12:59 --- 13:10) - Arriva North East 4522 - Volvo B10BLE/Alexander ALX300
Never been on the 43 before, let alone an Arriva ALX300. I sat in the middle at the very back, and as I stared down the aisle at the road ahead, I recalled being told that all of Arriva's examples were B10BLEs! Great. I am a B10BLE lover, but after this short ride, I think the Wright Renowns are better though. Not dissing these ALX-bodied B10s, but I think I would rather have either a Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown or a MAN 18.220/Alexander or Transbus ALX300 than a mix of the two. Anyway, had a nice lady driving, and the run back to the Haymarket went rather fast. Wouldn't mind sampling another.
#10B - Newcastle, Eldon Square Bus Station to MetroCentre Interchange - (13:14 --- 13:35) - Go North East 3966 - Volvo B7TL/East Lancs Vyking
Walked across from the Haymarket to Eldon Square, and spotted this on Percy Street preparing to enter Eldon Square. I do like Vykings for short hops, and after hearing about the rail charter due through the MetroCentre being this time, I decided the two would go nicely together. I hopped on, and had a foreign driver at the wheel, who was exceptionally friendly, another thing that made the day great. Sat at the front upstairs, and spoke to my mam on the phone for about 2 or 3 minutes whilst on Handy Drive, before disembarking this at the MetroCentre. In terms of the ride, I think 3966 was a lovely bus to ride, even though inside it looked very shabby and a few bits of paint on the interior were a bit chipped. Can't fault the legroom at the front upstairs, though! haha
Made my way across to the Coach Park, and took a couple of photos of the coaches, before heading back across to the interchange. I honestly thought I had missed the charter, but then noticed a bunch of enthusiasts at the platform - and realised it hadn't been through yet. Yay! It started to fill up at around 14:00, and got talking to a small group of older men who informed me of what was due through. Leander and The Lancashire Fusilier, on The Hadrian double-heading. Sounded interesting, so I hung around in the bitter wind until we all heard a Black Five-like whistle. I got my position, and noticed the two rounding the curve at a slow
#100 - MetroCentre Interchange to Newcastle, Blackett Street - (14:20 --- 14:38) - Stagecoach North East 22346 - MAN 18.220/Alexander ALX300
My day just got better and better, as I saw an ALX300 crossing the bridge at the MetroCentre, and on the next 100 in (and out!). I noted the fleet number as 22346, and I'm pretty sure I've been on this before. Nonetheless, I had a great run into Newcastle on this vehicle. I'm sure I've mentioned before, but I'll just repeat, I'm a huge fan of ALX300s. For some odd reason, I've always thought their front lights look like goggly eyes. lol
#21 - Newcastle, Eldon Square Bus Station to Chester-le-Street Clifford Terrace - (14:44 --- 15:35) - Go North East 3965 - Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 1
Always liked 3965, and provided a very nice journey. However, the legroom felt a bit tight for some reason at the very front. Never noticed this when I had 3965/62 on my 21 along to school every morning for about a year, and I guess I just realised it now. Good journey on the whole, made nice by a boiling hot Chicken Bake from Gregg's.
Got back in the house for 16:00. Just waiting for my parents to come back from Royal Quays, then it's pizza delivery time. Got no further plans for this evening, just watch a few comedies I guess.
Had a great day, 10/10 - got to see the steam charter, two ALX300s, some train photos (no buses sadly! just two coaches at the MetroCentre). I'll have them on Flickr in about an hour.
Thanks for reading!
Great review as usual.
The Volvo B10BLE/ALX300's are pretty similar to B10BLE's, but other than the bodywork, nothing like ALX300s.