(09 Sep 2015, 7:26 pm)Malarkey wrote Sack the Metro I much prefer getting the Bus to be honest, at least I know it will actually show up albeit a little late, got the option getting the 52/54/X7/X8 & X63 all of which stop right outside the front door to Sitel.

You'll probably end up on the bus most days anyway.

I am a pupil on BPR but I use the Metro or the 554

(09 Sep 2015, 7:27 pm)aureolin wrote You'll probably end up on the bus most days anyway.

Trust me I will be as I am certainly not walking to Four Lane Ends, done once with my Brother from Convergys at the Quorum which is where he and my Dad work, bit weird that come Monday we will all be working within a few minutes of eachother.

Will you get the X1 and 52/X63

(09 Sep 2015, 7:19 pm)aureolin wrote Congrats on your job. The travel isn't too bad, as it'll only take you about an hour? Metro can be busy depending on what time you finish, as you have all the St Mary's and Civil Service traffic, unless you fancy walking to Four Lane Ends station instead.

I can get to work in just over 30 minutes (depending on the time I go which determines which bus I get from Gateshead), providing the Metro section of my commute is with no disruption. The connections don't work half as well on an evening as they do on a morning, so usually takes 50+ minutes.

It really is a killer day in, day out, so I'd hate for my commute to be an hour or more in each direction. I avoid the Metro as much as possible on a weekend now as I have at least five hours on it in total during the week.

Even though it will be a lot more expensive (especially given that my travel at the moment is free), I can't wait to be able to drive to work in my own car. The advantages definitely outweigh the disadvantages. Hopefully just a month (two at most - it's dependent on my performance on the A19 Testos roundabout in my lesson next week) to go, assuming I pass my practical first time...

(09 Sep 2015, 7:45 pm)Dan wrote I can get to work in just over 30 minutes (depending on the time I go which determines which bus I get from Gateshead), providing the Metro section of my commute is with no disruption. The connections don't work half as well on an evening as they do on a morning, so usually takes 50+ minutes.

It really is a killer day in, day out, so I'd hate for my commute to be an hour or more in each direction. I avoid the Metro as much as possible on a weekend now as I have at least five hours on it in total during the week.

Even though it will be a lot more expensive (especially given that my travel at the moment is free), I can't wait to be able to drive to work in my own car. The advantages definitely outweigh the disadvantages. Hopefully just a month (two at most) to go, assuming I pass my practical first time...

I used to do the trip every day for about a year, when I was based at Long Benton myself. The first leg of it wasn't too bad on the 194/294. It was before the Usworth College opened, so you didn't have that much traffic going Heworth way. The Metro used to be really bad on the way home from Long Benton around 4pm, but most piled off between South Gosforth and Haymarket, presumably to catch connecting buses.

Driving to work and parking is great if you have the facility to do so. For me, I'd have to use City Centre car parks, so it'd cost me a good 50 quid a month just to park.

(09 Sep 2015, 7:45 pm)Dan wrote Even though it will be a lot more expensive (especially given that my travel at the moment is free), I can't wait to be able to drive to work in my own car. The advantages definitely outweigh the disadvantages. Hopefully just a month (two at most) to go, assuming I pass my practical first time...

And you won't look back, free travel or not!

It will also make appreciate the odd journey on public transport a little more as it becomes a novelty rather than the norm.

(09 Sep 2015, 7:52 pm)MurdnunoC wrote And you won't look back, free travel or not!

It will also make appreciate the odd journey on public transport a little more as it becomes a novelty rather than the norm.

Definitely.

I was up at the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum last month and another bus enthusiast was asking how I was getting on in my (still fairly new) job. He asked whether working within the public transport industry and having to use public transport in peak times to get to work has affected my interest in the hobby, and I think the answer is probably obvious! I'm fairly sure it's primarily because of my commute on public transport though.

(09 Sep 2015, 7:51 pm)aureolin wrote Driving to work and parking is great if you have the facility to do so. For me, I'd have to use City Centre car parks, so it'd cost me a good 50 quid a month just to park.

Any big meetings with staff from other locations and we're stuffed for parking spaces, so an additional car being added to the mix won't help matters...

It's on a first come first served basis though, and I'm one of the first in most days of the week, so not my problem..!

(09 Sep 2015, 8:04 pm)Dan wrote Definitely.

I was up at the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum last month and another bus enthusiast was asking how I was getting on in my (still fairly new) job. He asked whether working within the public transport industry and having to use public transport in peak times to get to work has affected my interest in the hobby, and I think the answer is probably obvious! I'm fairly sure it's primarily because of my commute on public transport though.

In my first job (Metroland), I did not have far to travel so there was real motivation to pass my driving test and get a car. However, when I gained employment working further afield, the urge to drive became more prevalent as I relied on public transport being on-time to make connections. As most of my commuting took place during off-peak hours, missing a connection could often put an extra hour on my travelling time, usually at the end of my shift when I was tired. I think, if I used public transport during peak time, I wouldn't have been as bothered about missed connections - especially at the end of my shift.

Just catching a late running 7 to Darlington.

Im so getting this when it comes out - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sj2iQyBTQs&feature=youtu.be

(10 Sep 2015, 3:09 pm)Malarkey wrote Im so getting this when it comes out - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sj2iQyBTQs&feature=youtu.be

A wild snorlax blocks your path. All services delayed, Metro apologises.

A much needed haircut.
And a much needed couple of (mostly) kid free days with the husband.
Getting a table in Flat White's.
And noticing Camel Active shop in Durham. It's been there 6 months, so I must have walked past it many times without realising. Very little women's wear, unfortunately, but husband got some lovely jeans in the sale and intends to go back to try on some shirts.

And that map is now on our wall, together with some other things I've had sitting on a shelf gathering dust for months.

(10 Sep 2015, 3:39 pm)aureolin wrote A wild snorlax blocks your path. All services delayed, Metro apologises.

Hahaha 

Due to a Fire at St James's Metro Station believed to be caused by a wild Charmander, All Services are Delayed while we wait for the Bowser to come, Metro Apologises.

Today, I seen the Royal Train at Newcastle, Central Station.

It was headed by DB Schenker 67029 'Royal Diamond' and on the back was DB Schenker 67005 'Queen's Messenger'.

Prince Charles was on-board the train.

Muse have announced a gig for Manchester in April. Already booked hotel for this and I'll be taking my camera to get a few bus photos whilst I'm down there. With the popularity of Muse hopefully I won't be making a post in the annoying thread next Friday if I don't get tickets.

Finally getting to see one (well two) of the rebranded Powercars in VTEC livery, they look fantastic.

(11 Sep 2015, 10:35 pm)GMitchelhill wrote Finally getting to see one (well two) of the rebranded Powercars in VTEC livery, they look fantastic.

I agree Gary, the look great. Both HST's and 91s.

However, it is a shame that they have de-branded 43300 "Craigentinny" and are set to de-brand 91110 "Battle of Britain" and 91111 "For the Fallen"

(10 Sep 2015, 10:31 pm)LeeCalder wrote Today, I seen the Royal Train at Newcastle, Central Station.

It was headed by DB Schenker 67029 'Royal Diamond' and on the back was DB Schenker 67005 'Queen's Messenger'.

Prince Charles was on-board the train.

I remember back in the 90's, Prince Chuck came to Durham to some kind of honor from Durham Uni, possibly and honorary PhD, his car came to a near standstill on Saddler Street, I must have looked like the end of a bell as I looked through the window with an idiotic cheesy smile and waving like a fanny, he must have thought I was a right cock lmao

Having a bit of luck when it comes to good drivers today!

Seen John Westy on the 21
Pat Armstrong was driving my 21
And seen the driver that took one of the buses to Seaburn on the X25, however I can't remember his name.

(12 Sep 2015, 10:55 am)LeeCalder wrote Having a bit of luck when it comes to good drivers today!



Seen John Westy on the 21

Pat Armstrong was driving my 21

And seen the driver that took one of the buses to Seaburn on the X25, however I can't remember his name.

I saw Westy earlier on 3965 and got a wave.

Listening to Old Skool and bringing back my teenage years. KLF, Bizarre Inc, Felix, N-Trance and Shamen.

Top one, nice one, get sorted!

Charles

(12 Sep 2015, 11:43 am)Charles41 wrote Listening to Old Skool and bringing back my teenage years. KLF, Bizarre Inc, Felix, N-Trance and Shamen.

Top one, nice one, get sorted!

Charles

**Like**

Decided to go out for a photo of 4644 on the 5 but I decided to go walk for a photo somewhere around Aycliffe and it proved to be a nice walk. Just a pity I screwed up the photo of 4644, may try again in an hour and if I fail again it doesn't really matter.

(12 Sep 2015, 5:31 pm)Jimmi wrote Decided to go out for a photo of 4644 on the 5 but I decided to go walk for a photo somewhere around Aycliffe and it proved to be a nice walk. Just a pity I screwed up the photo of 4644, may try again in an hour and if I fail again it doesn't really matter.

Sadly the camera didn't take the shot when it came back, so no photo, sorry!

Although I am heading off to Scarborough tomorrow so I may have a few photos to bring you from this day out tomorrow, although it's not a bus day out so don't be too disappointed if there isn't any photos.

(12 Sep 2015, 11:43 am)Charles41 wrote Listening to Old Skool and bringing back my teenage years. KLF, Bizarre Inc, Felix, N-Trance and Shamen.

Top one, nice one, get sorted!

Charles

(12 Sep 2015, 11:56 am)MurdnunoC wrote **Like**

It's worth checking out some of the 'Wear FM' stuff on YouTube. I quite often listen through whilst I'm at work, and there's some cracking mixes amongst it. All the old classics!

(12 Sep 2015, 6:41 pm)Jimmi wrote Sadly the camera didn't take the shot when it came back, so no photo, sorry!

Although I am heading off to Scarborough tomorrow so I may have a few photos to bring you from this day out tomorrow, although it's not a bus day out so don't be too disappointed if there isn't any photos.

You should see some nice EYMS buses there. Look out for one of the Y reg MPDs with manual destination blinds still in place! Seeing one of those at Brid, the other weekend, was an amusing relief from seeing nothing but first gen Geminis around Hornsea. They have an enthusiast section on their website with lots of fleet details, which is a nice touch, I think.

(12 Sep 2015, 7:46 pm)BusLoverMum wrote You should see some nice EYMS buses there. Look out for one of the Y reg MPDs with manual destination blinds still in place! Seeing one of those at Brid, the other weekend, was an amusing relief from seeing nothing but first gen Geminis around Hornsea. They have an enthusiast section on their website with lots of fleet details, which is a nice touch, I think.

Sadly I can't see many (if any) MPD'S being out tomorrow with it being Sunday tomorrow. May try to get a few photos around Scarborough whilst I'm there tomorrow.

Went to Scarborough (and Whitby) fairly recently and got a fair few photos and it was boiling as hell that day.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127079988@...5980122462

(12 Sep 2015, 7:53 pm)Jimmi wrote Sadly I can't see many (if any) MPD'S being out tomorrow with it being Sunday tomorrow. May try to get a few photos around Scarborough whilst I'm there tomorrow.

Went to Scarborough (and Whitby) fairly recently and got a fair few photos and it was boiling as hell that day.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127079988@...5980122462

I saw the one on in Brid on a Sunday. IIRC Scarborough have 3 of them, so you're not without a chance.

Edit their enthusiasts section
http://www.eyms.co.uk/enthusiasts/

they have a nice twitter feed, too, btw https://twitter.com/eymsenthusiasts