Here is my trip from today (one bus)
1000 TW 4070A (Northumberland Park - South Gosforth)
A short ride on 4070, there weren't any seats on board without having to sit next to someone, gathered some speed up to South Gosforth depot, then slowed to a crawl while passing. I notice the service to Airport sat in the platform, but that left before I arrived.
1024 TW 4064 & 4010 (South Gosforth - Airport - South Hylton - Park Lane)
I boarded 4010 which was on the rear of this set and sat facing Airport, a rather quiet journey from Kingston Park to Airport, of which only a mother and pushchair boarded at Bank Foot. On arrival at Airport, I stretched my legs before the return journey to South Hylton. The service departed just as another service arrived into the opposite platform, after Callerton Parkway, the Metrocar built up some speed (70 kph) down the bank. A few people got on at Kingston Park, wih their shopping etc, but I couldn't help noticing the large amount of carrier bags lying all over the trackside. On arrival at South Gosforth, we had a driver change which had us in the platform for about five minutes. On approach to Jesmond, I noticed the Manors Chord of which handled ECS Metrocars during the 2013 modernisation works. Newcastle was as ever busy, with loads boarding at Monument. At Gateshead Stadium the Nexus red and green colours smother the station. Some workers were clearing the bushes at the side of the tracks near Heworth, having mainline trains running at reduced speeds (20mph). At Pelaw, we paused briefly to allow a through Pacer along the DCL. We gathered some speed along through Boldon etc, we slowed down again to crawling speed at Sunderland, a few people got on a lot got off, on arrival at South Hylton, I could see the extra-long platform for holding trains during delays. I got off and stretched my legs, I wondered onto the leading Metrocar 4064, and it departed a few moments after. On arrival at Park Lane, I jumped off and got some timetables from the travel shop before heading down to my next ride.
1220 TW 4084 (Park Lane - Sunderland Station)
A short but quiet ride on 4084, slowed down to crawling speed as usual on arrival at Sunderland.
A Grand Central HST rolled in shortly after arrival, more passengers than usual, so I assume there is something happening along the route.
1230 (delayed 1238) NT 14208? (Sunderland - Newcastle)
Rolling in delayed, my donkey arrived. It was very busy and I only managed to get a seat, only a couple of minutes dwell time at Sunderland. I've never been on a mainline train on the DCL before, so passing through Metro stations at speed was quite strange. We then hit a TSR. 20mph between Brockley Whins and Gateshead Stadium. A few moments at Heworth, then we were away. On arrival at Newcastle, I couldn't help but to listen to the conductor drivelling on about luggage and MetroSaver holders had to get off for a good few minutes listening to his rather boring posh accent.
1304 TW 4017 (Central Station - Heworth)
I decided to stand on this journey for some reason, there was no TSR for Metro services past Gateshead Stadium, on arrival at Heworth I jumped off and got a photo of a CityLink Versa in the layovers before catching my next ride;
1317 TW 4002 (Heworth - South Shields)
I was rather pleased for a prototype to arrive, with the original push-button openings and drab interior, a slight unpleasant smell was present. We paused briefly after we split from the Green line to allow another Metrocar through. Some young children were copying the announcements and talking about football between on the whole journey and I got a bit sick of it by the the time we reached Bede. I took a couple of quick photos at South Shields before I headed to the ferry.
1345 SF Spirit of the Tyne (Cross Tyne service)
A quick ride on the ferry, two large freight ships were at the port. The journey was ruined by a group of youths.
1354 Phoenix Taxis 907 (A20 OJD), Optare Solo M880SL (North Shields Ferry - opp. Tynemouth Metro)
As per usual, a busy journey. I decided not to get off at North Shields town centre and to carry on to Tynemouth Metro. A very friendly driver, who got a bit frustrated around the Fish Quay area with cyclists etc.
1449 TW 4068 (Tynemouth - Northumberland Park)
A busy service, noticed quite a few people on the beach and grassed area when I passed Tynemouth aquarium, 4002 passed us. I managed to bag the front seats again between Tynemouth and Northumberland Park. On arrival at Northumberland Park, I took a few photos from the platform and the car park before heading home.
I hope that you enjoyed reading this as much as I have riding the things.
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