(22 Sep 2013, 3:33 pm)W179SCU wrote A ''Metrolink'' Solar would be practical, the right size too. When the X22 is introduced, do you think a ''Angel'' Gemini will be used?

Chester-le-Street hopefully have a little more sense!

(22 Sep 2013, 6:00 pm)Michael wrote Could the 13/14 not run from a different depot? not sure of its locations as i'm not from the area.

No, it is the nearest depot to the 13/14 route.
But due to the location of the route, if a vehicle encounters a problem, it is difficult to drop a replacement in.
Not sure if it interworks with anything at the moment, so guessing a driver change over has to take place in Durham or elsewhere on the route.

(22 Sep 2013, 6:00 pm)Michael wrote Could the 13/14 not run from a different depot? not sure of its locations as i'm not from the area.

From the 27th Oct changes the 14/X22 will interwork, the 13 will run standalone. This is deal the 14 reliability. As for Northern Solars, I'm not sure. I think they'll keep the service double decker for now. The northern Scanias may just be used for SPD withdrawal or for a Northern 34/34A? Chester-Le-Street operate the 13/14/X22 but not sure where driver changes occur on the 13, the 14/X22 workings will now presumably change at Chester Front Street

(22 Sep 2013, 6:04 pm)Andreos1 wrote No, it is the nearest depot to the 13/14 route.
But due to the location of the route, if a vehicle encounters a problem, it is difficult to drop a replacement in.
Not sure if it interworks with anything at the moment, so guessing a driver change over has to take place in Durham or elsewhere on the route.

Ah right cheers, shame

Has anyone heard any info for what routes will be based at the new depot once it opens?

Such as - will the Pulse move back over their and will any more routes be moved from different depots?

(22 Sep 2013, 6:05 pm)Michael wrote Ah right cheers, shame

Has anyone heard any info for what routes will be based at the new depot once it opens?

Such as - will the Pulse move back over their and will any more routes be moved from different depots?

Its a big enough job just combining Gateshead and Winlaton into one site, so when it open's whatever currently operates out Sunderland Road and Winlaton only will be at the Riverside. That is not to say in the future, different routes could not be added.

(21 Sep 2013, 8:24 pm)Daniel wrote We've already had confirmation that the older Dennis MPDs are being withdrawn (up to 540 at least), so you can expect "East Durham" MPDs 501-3, 510, 519/520, 522 and 535-9 to all be withdrawn and replaced with newer Transbus MPD examples.
Other than that, I'm doubtful Peterlee will receive anything further.

The next opportunity for Solars to be freed up will be in January, when "Fab Fifty Six" receives new B9s. It is then when "Wear Tees Xpress" X7 may receive four new(er) Scanias, and the Volvos can go Northern.

Does this include the 52 reg ones on the WSS etc as from my point of view there is nothing wrong with them at all, GNE could easily run them for another year or 2 and there in much better condition than those South Tyne Cadets on the 88/88A. I think it would be better if they were Branded up Northern and split between all Depots to replace the SPD's and Plaxton Prestiges in the Fleet.

(22 Sep 2013, 6:22 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Does this include the 52 reg ones on the WSS etc as from my point of view there is nothing wrong with them at all, GNE could easily run them for another year or 2 and there in much better condition than those South Tyne Cadets on the 88/88A. I think it would be better if they were Branded up Northern and split between all Depots to replace the SPD's and Plaxton Prestiges in the Fleet.

It does, yes.
The plan is to withdraw all MPDs with the Dennis chassis within the fleet, though 501 to 533 may be the only ones achieved this year.

(22 Sep 2013, 6:24 pm)Daniel wrote It does, yes.
The plan is to withdraw all MPDs with the Dennis chassis within the fleet, though 501 to 533 may be the only ones achieved this year.

517 and 548 are awful - Going up the Rosehill Bank they cannot go over 15 mph!

(22 Sep 2013, 6:13 pm)citaro5284 wrote Its a big enough job just combining Gateshead and Winlaton into one site, so when it open's whatever currently operates out Sunderland Road and Winlaton only will be at the Riverside. That is not to say in the future, different routes could not be added.

Cheer's was just wondering, wouldn't be surprised once its up and running fully - which will take about 3-6 months - i would say, they might add more routes then.

(22 Sep 2013, 6:26 pm)W179SCU wrote 517 and 548 are awful - Going up the Rosehill Bank they cannot go over 15 mph!

That's a shame as there good little buses minus a select few from the 2000/01 Batch.

(21 Sep 2013, 8:24 pm)Daniel wrote The next opportunity for Solars to be freed up will be in January, when "Fab Fifty Six" receives new B9s. It is then when "Wear Tees Xpress" X7 may receive four new(er) Scanias, and the Volvos can go Northern.

Here is what will be available once the Geminis come in for the Cobalt Clipper and FAB56 in January.

x15 Wright Solars - Fab56
x10 Omnicities - Cobalt Clipper
x7 Citaro's - Cobalt Clipper

So anything could happen with 32 Buses becoming available, But I do have 2 Predictions, the Omnicities to Washington for the 88/88A and the Citaros to Deptford for the X35.

(22 Sep 2013, 7:04 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Here is what will be available once the Geminis come in for the Cobalt Clipper and FAB56 in January.

x15 Wright Solars - Fab56
x10 Omnicities - Cobalt Clipper
x7 Citaro's - Cobalt Clipper

So anything could happen with 32 Buses becoming available, But I do have 2 Predictions, the Omnicities to Washington for the 88/88A and the Citaros to Deptford for the X35.

Could the Citaros not replace the Solars on the 35s?

(22 Sep 2013, 7:10 pm)BJ10VUS wrote Could the Citaros not replace the Solars on the 35s?

Yeah they could

Would make sense if the Ciatro's from cobalt clipper went to deptford to replace the Scania's on the laser to make it fully Citaro BUT this is GNE.. haha

(22 Sep 2013, 7:29 pm)Michael wrote Would make sense if the Ciatro's from cobalt clipper went to deptford to replace the Scania's on the laser to make it fully Citaro BUT this is GNE.. haha

Why paint a bus out of gold to paint another one into gold. The Solar's are fine on the 35 and I cannot see that changing tbh.

(22 Sep 2013, 7:43 pm)citaro5284 wrote Why paint a bus out of gold to paint another one into gold. The Solar's are fine on the 35 and I cannot see that changing tbh.

Maybe GNE could launch a new brand in gold for the scania's... haha XD

Na the scania's are doing great on their. =)

Wonder if we will see any new brands launched in the future with all the new buses coming in and the fleet changes happening... NOT including current/re-designs of current brands.

I know GNE have a got a lot of deliveries coming in and fleet movements will occur but I think about time GNE started looking to replace some of their vehicles fairly soon, the West Durham Swift routes need some new vehicles soon, it's daily that people complain about the reliability and use of Olympians on them services. The South Tyne services are coping dreadfully with the their cadets, your lucky to see one! The X7, albeit new, is getting a reputation of an unreliable service. Some of the MPD's are in a bad way, northern spares, yes. Regular service, no. This is where I'd like to see new vehicles soon, as a result of fleet movements and/or 2nd hand.

(22 Sep 2013, 7:43 pm)citaro5284 wrote Why paint a bus out of gold to paint another one into gold. The Solar's are fine on the 35 and I cannot see that changing tbh.

That's why I suggested the X35, and it would be more cost effective for GNE also, pointless repainting 6 Buses when there perfectly fine on the service.

(22 Sep 2013, 7:49 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote That's why I suggested the X35, and it would be more cost effective for GNE also, pointless repainting 6 Buses when there perfectly fine on the service.

Hmm a silver Fast cats... sounds good but i like it on the black though.

(22 Sep 2013, 7:43 pm)citaro5284 wrote Why paint a bus out of gold to paint another one into gold. The Solar's are fine on the 35 and I cannot see that changing tbh.

You mean like the totally pointless repaints at Percy main? It's not that unlikely to suggest that will happen. It's possibly one of the only branded service to use two vehicle types.

And nice backtracking Adam.

(22 Sep 2013, 7:48 pm)CatsFast101 wrote I know GNE have a got a lot of deliveries coming in and fleet movements will occur but I think about time GNE started looking to replace some of their vehicles fairly soon, the West Durham Swift routes need some new vehicles soon, it's daily that people complain about the reliability and use of Olympians on them services. The South Tyne services are coping dreadfully with the their cadets, your lucky to see one! The X7, albeit new, is getting a reputation of an unreliable service. Some of the MPD's are in a bad way, northern spares, yes. Regular service, no. This is where I'd like to see new vehicles soon, as a result of fleet movements and/or 2nd hand.

It was mentioned GNE maybe getting some London Cast Offs from Go-Ahead London off Service 11 once all NB4L's have entered Service. I believe 5 already are in Service from what I have read. This would result in GNE getting 03/53reg Geminis.

(22 Sep 2013, 7:55 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote It was mentioned GNE maybe getting some London Cast Offs from Go-Ahead London off Service 11 once all NB4L's have entered Service. I believe 5 already are in Service from what I have read. This would result in GNE getting 03/53reg Geminis.

Yeah it seems to be speculation though, does anyone know the PVR of the West Durham Swift? How many vehicles were branded before?

Gemini on Service 11 http://www.flickr.com/photos/57491546@N02/9881024376/

NB4L on Service 11, Info as Stated previous post also on there
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21611052@N02/9869744586/

Safe to say I have done my Homework today Lads

(22 Sep 2013, 7:52 pm)CatsFast101 wrote You mean like the totally pointless repaints at Percy main?

I lose track, what pointless repaints at Percy Main?

(22 Sep 2013, 7:55 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote It was mentioned GNE maybe getting some London Cast Offs from Go-Ahead London off Service 11 once all NB4L's have entered Service. I believe 5 already are in Service from what I have read. This would result in GNE getting 03/53reg Geminis.

It was mentioned by me, but I did say it was pure speculation, and in bold letters.

(22 Sep 2013, 8:06 pm)aureolin wrote It was mentioned by me, but I did say it was pure speculation, and in bold letters.

ohhh right haha, not one for naming and shaming other people, in all honesty I didn't know who put anyway, just remember reading it a few days ago.

(22 Sep 2013, 6:00 pm)Michael wrote Could the 13/14 not run from a different depot? not sure of its locations as i'm not from the area.

3 suggestions for 13/14 :-

Interwork with 15/15A at Durham,

or interwork with X25 at Langley Park,

or run it as a through service at Durham with 20/20A.

X25 would be best, with Fri/Sat evening and Sunday buses interworked at Durham with 21.

(22 Sep 2013, 7:10 pm)BJ10VUS wrote Could the Citaros not replace the Solars on the 35s?

5331, 5333, 5334, 5335 and 5336 should go to Gateshead for FAB57, with 5337/8 also going to Gateshead in NORTHERN, with 1 allocated to crusader to complete allocation, and the other as a spare.

One thing that puzzles me, the 99 is usually allocated an MPD, correct? I don't understand why they don't paint more of the Deptford MPD's Northern? As all the former Doxford Clippers were repainted for as yet pointless de branding exercise. It's not like it allows for a more varied allocation as correct me if I'm wrong but 547/603/604/605/606 are all still allocated to the 39 most days generally speaking. So why don't they paint 542/544/561 into Northern then allocated them to the 99 and as spares? I hate the total branding mess at GNE all these plain yellow (and green) vehicles lying around: if not branded for specific route/service it should be northern.

(23 Sep 2013, 3:45 pm)Rob wrote 603-606 are due to move to Washington for services W5 and W6, a pair of services which are to be removed from the Washington Street Shuttle brand. More MPD movements will occur as new vehicles enter service, this will allow some of the older MPDs to be withdrawn from service. When things begin to settle, following the arrivals, a more uniformed arrangement of MPDs will be notable.

Ah thanks for that Rob. That clarifies that. It's shame if for the W5/W6 to be going Northern but they do have a low PVR. The 39 must be getting Versa's then surely?