(15 Mar 2017, 9:57 pm)Michael wrote They will, however it'll only have 1 branded spare rather 2, i think.

Correct

(15 Mar 2017, 9:57 pm)Adrian wrote It isn't too far from from what people have suggested in the past though, only without the pointless bit attached to it. There has been plenty of discussion on this forum about the angel and TEN being 'due' replacements, and they're not much older than that! 

Perhaps it is new work for Stanley that requires additional buses? Not that I'm a fan of a mixed allocation, as I feel it waters the spec of the brand down from a customer perspective. Alas the indiGo Washington services, with the ex-TT Solos not offering WiFi or NSA.

Unless they have gained contracts but under Durham Council contract?, i'm not a fan either of mixed allocations too, for those exact reasons, although i know it might not be easy to have it installed (don't know how it works/gets put in the buses), it takes time but thought they would of got WIFI, NSA's by now...

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(15 Mar 2017, 9:59 pm)S813 FVK wrote Correct

Least i'm correct about something tonight haha

(15 Mar 2017, 9:57 pm)Adrian wrote It isn't too far from from what people have suggested in the past though, only without the pointless bit attached to it. There has been plenty of discussion on this forum about the angel and TEN being 'due' replacements, and they're not much older than that! 

Perhaps it is new work for Stanley that requires additional buses? Not that I'm a fan of a mixed allocation, as I feel it waters the spec of the brand down from a customer perspective. Alas the indiGo Washington services, with the ex-TT Solos not offering WiFi or NSA.

Won't be long now until we know about the remainder of this years orders as the financial year comes to a close in May.

Hello there.

Apologies if this is in the wrong section etc, however, I am seeking advice. I have recently found myself in the colourful land of Go North East and was wondering about the plain red buses. Does anyone know which services the red buses from each depot operate please? I have a feeling the double deckers are for the school turns, I am just interested in which deport runs which red buses services etc. Many thanks.

(15 Mar 2017, 10:25 pm)Quantumspotter wrote Hello there.

Apologies if this is in the wrong section etc, however, I am seeking advice. I have recently found myself in the colourful land of Go North East and was wondering about the plain red buses. Does anyone know which services the red buses from each depot operate please? I have a feeling the double deckers are for the school turns, I am just interested in which deport runs which red buses services etc. Many thanks.

There are quite a lot of corporate liveried buses (to which you are referring to), and each depot has some. It's quite hard to be divisive when it comes to answering your question when it comes to this as it covers a large amount of routes. Also, red corporate vehicles may be allocated to branded services when a branded vehicle isn't avaliable for maintenance etc.

I do think there should be some documentation for which routes belong where and what the allocation is, but that's just me.

(15 Mar 2017, 10:58 pm)Jamie M wrote There are quite a lot of corporate liveried buses (to which you are referring to), and each depot has some. It's quite hard to be divisive when it comes to answering your question when it comes to this as it covers a large amount of routes. Also, red corporate vehicles may be allocated to branded services when a branded vehicle isn't avaliable for maintenance etc.

I do think there should be some documentation for which routes belong where and what the allocation is, but that's just me.

Hello there Jamie.

Thank you for your reply. I can see from this forum and GNE own website where vehicles are allocated to each depot etc. Also, which of the special liveried vehicles are allocated where. I can also see that certain depots have large numbers of corporate 'red' liveried vehicles to. However, I am unclear on which services they run. For example, red service 39 I have noted with both single and double deckers from Deptford depot. I have a thing for technical info such as PVR's etc. Many thanks again.

Looks like 5337/38 look to be heading to Washington in exchange for 5248 and 5249

(15 Mar 2017, 11:47 pm)Quantumspotter wrote Hello there Jamie.

Thank you for your reply. I can see from this forum and GNE own website where vehicles are allocated to each depot etc. Also, which of the special liveried vehicles are allocated where. I can also see that certain depots have large numbers of corporate 'red' liveried vehicles to. However, I am unclear on which services they run. For example, red service 39 I have noted with both single and double deckers from Deptford depot. I have a thing for technical info such as PVR's etc. Many thanks again.

The red on the Scania's for the 39, is the same as the red on the "Red Arrows", they're pending branding, the brand will also include Solo's 681, 689, 690, 698, 699 and 700 for services 33 and 238.


Red buses at Deptford: 

X36 uses MPD's
Citaro's 5333 - 5336 are allocated to the 9 along with 2 Scania's 
Scania's 5204 - 5209 and 5211 - Currently allocated to the X5 but won't be soon.
Vykings: when needed
Rest of the Scania's are spares


Although allocated, it does normally change, depending on what's available.

Amid all the talk of the T1/T2, I spotted 604 on the A1 earlier. Being driven south towards Chester with a filter at the wheel NIS.

It may have come from the A195/Washington direction.

My thinking with the incoming solos (if all 5 unallocated)into Stanley it would allow 4 solo sr transfer to Chester for the 34/34a, and 604 to replace an older MPD elsewhere, also when the refurbished mercs off the blaydon racers return, it'll allow the toonlink scanias to be transferred to Stanley for use on the 6/X70/X71

(16 Mar 2017, 11:17 am)GX03 wrote My thinking with the incoming solos (if all 5 unallocated)into Stanley it would allow 4 solo sr transfer to Chester for the 34/34a, and 604 to replace an older MPD elsewhere, also when the refurbished mercs off the blaydon racers return, it'll allow the toonlink scanias to be transferred to Stanley for use on the 6/X70/X71

We've heard the same rumour, then.

(16 Mar 2017, 9:10 am)Michael wrote The red on the Scania's for the 39, is the same as the red on the "Red Arrows", they're pending branding, the brand will also include Solo's 681, 689, 690, 698, 699 and 700 for services 33 and 238.


Red buses at Deptford: 

X36 uses MPD's
Citaro's 5333 - 5336 are allocated to the 9 along with 2 Scania's 
Scania's 5204 - 5209 and 5211 - Currently allocated to the X5 but won't be soon.
Vykings: when needed
Rest of the Scania's are spares


Although allocated, it does normally change, depending on what's available.

Hello there Michael.

Thank you for your information, very useful. I will keep an eye open for the rebranding too. I always try to catch the 39 as it has been throwing up a cornucopia of vehicles recently. May even try the 33 next week too. I must say that seeing the colourful vehicles of GNE has really rekindled my interest in buses.

(15 Mar 2017, 8:20 pm)Dan wrote The LED display previously in 3866 has been removed prior to disposal and replaced with a flipdot display which originated from one of Stagecoach's buses in Stockton (hence the 35 being on the display).

A couple of the MPDs have also had flipdot displays fitted prior to being collected, as they have now been sold. 553 and 573 are two of these, if I remember rightly.



Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

I believe 553, 573 and 3866 have all been sold to Stafford Bus Centre.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

605 has gone to Alpha:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/61673445@N08/32663158543/

(16 Mar 2017, 11:17 am)GX03 wrote My thinking with the incoming solos (if all 5 unallocated)into Stanley it would allow 4 solo sr transfer to Chester for the 34/34a, and 604 to replace an older MPD elsewhere, also when the refurbished mercs off the blaydon racers return, it'll allow the toonlink scanias to be transferred to Stanley for use on the 6/X70/X71

That sounds better, least then they can loose some of those horrid ex London deckers......


I don't think there would be enough Omnicities from Riverside for the 6/X70/X71, the PVR is 10 i think?

(16 Mar 2017, 7:25 pm)Michael wrote That sounds better, least then they can loose some of those horrid ex London deckers......


I don't think there would be enough Omnicities from Riverside for the 6/X70/X71, the PVR is 10 i think?

The PVR is indeed 10. Currently formed by 9 Omnidekkas an 1 single decker (either 5337/8 at the moment I think although it will likely change to one of 5248/5249/5254 after the upcoming exchange).

(16 Mar 2017, 11:17 am)GX03 wrote My thinking with the incoming solos (if all 5 unallocated)into Stanley it would allow 4 solo sr transfer to Chester for the 34/34a, and 604 to replace an older MPD elsewhere, also when the refurbished mercs off the blaydon racers return, it'll allow the toonlink scanias to be transferred to Stanley for use on the 6/X70/X71

Wonder where the Versa's would go if that happens?

Would be Deptford or Riverside as they would be the only depots with them, not sure which services they could go on though.


8328 has had WIFI fitted, will all of the Versa's at Deptford get WIFI?

(16 Mar 2017, 8:17 pm)Michael wrote Wonder where the Versa's would go if that happens?

Would be Deptford or Riverside as they would be the only depots with them, not sure which services they could go on though.


8328 has had WIFI fitted, will all of the Versa's at Deptford get WIFI?

Might be for a spare for Quaylinks and 58's 

(16 Mar 2017, 8:22 pm)citaro5284 wrote Might be for a spare for Quaylinks and 58's 

Well i was going to put that but changed my mind haha

If Deptford lose one, means they wouldn't have enough for a full allocation... Unless Deptford are gaining something else.

(16 Mar 2017, 8:28 pm)Michael wrote Well i was going to put that but changed my mind haha

If Deptford lose one, means they wouldn't have enough for a full allocation... Unless Deptford are gaining something else.

If the rumour of the 34/34A getting Solo SR's is true, do we think at least some of the Lambton Worms could go to Deptford?

(16 Mar 2017, 8:35 pm)Jimmi wrote If the rumour of the 34/34A getting Solo SR's is true, do we think at least some of the Lambton Worms could go to Deptford?

Think Deptford might receive 2, 1 to replace 8328 and a spare and 2 to Riverside?

Or 3 to Deptford and 1 to Riverside

If that happens, just speculation at the moment.

(16 Mar 2017, 7:25 pm)Michael wrote That sounds better, least then they can loose some of those horrid ex London deckers......


I don't think there would be enough Omnicities from Riverside for the 6/X70/X71, the PVR is 10 i think?

The Omnicities at Stanley are Knackered  (X30 today sounded like a bag of hammers with constant engine Screesh..)  I had hoped for the ex DD Citaros to come back to Stanley for a re-branded 6, X30/31, X70/71 maybe a New Northern & Northern Express linked brand reflecting the heritage and established  nature of Northern in the Stanley /Consett area. Venture to continue with feeder routes into Stanley and Consett ( Venture was known as the "little bus" v Northern as the Big bus / Inter city service from the 60's onwards until Go-Ahead buyout) - Think this would still work, but new/ full service & feature buses required for 6/X30/X70 services. Current eqpt. fall way below expectations for such long and important routes. - If not New buses maybe cascaded "Newer" deckers from Ten or Red Arrows with full WiFi, Route Announcements & Power sockets etc...


I would also question Express services duplicating local routes from Sunniside to Newcastle. Maybe these could become limited stop, where local services can feed into hubs like Metro Centre (for some stops served by X30/1,& 6) & Gateshead interchange for X70/1, X31 etc..)

Maybe fresh brands like "Magpie (link with D Diamond / Newcastle "Magpies link to Diamond") Expresses could become a new version of "Swift" (Fast Link) - Both Magpie & Swift could be stylised/ brand executed similar to Red Kite and could be High Profile linking all West Durham services under a similar theme/s

Just bring the West Durham Swift brand back - I did rather like it.

(16 Mar 2017, 9:10 pm)S813 FVK wrote Just bring the West Durham Swift brand back - I did rather like it.

It was a canny brand, can't see it coming back though.

(16 Mar 2017, 9:10 pm)S813 FVK wrote Just bring the West Durham Swift brand back - I did rather like it.

Yes, Would look good with similar depiction as executed on Red Kite brand (But obviously with image of Swift) for Express services 30/70


and Magpie ("Magpies catch Diamonds" possible tag line?) promoting link to  Durham Diamond service 16 at Stanley where previous Diamond 43/44 (which served Newcastle through to Durham) was split in half for service no. 6 (Ex other half part of Diamond 43/44) :



This would re-establish the link through to Durham albeit with change of bus at Stanley.

(16 Mar 2017, 9:20 pm)Venturego wrote Yes, Would look good with similar depiction as executed on Red Kite brand (But obviously with image of Swift) for Express services 30/70


and Magpie ("Magpies catch Diamonds" possible tag line?) promoting link to  Durham Diamond service 16 at Stanley where previous Diamond 43/44 (which served Newcastle through to Durham) was split in half for service no. 6 (Ex other half part of Diamond 43/44) :



This would re-establish the link through to Durham albeit with change of bus at Stanley.

Daft thing is, catching the X30/31 then the diamond from NES to DBS often takes no longer than the Angel - if there's congestion on Durham road, the 65 minute journey soon becomes 75 minutes. Either way, whether I go via Stanley or straight through on the Angel, I catch the same bus home from Durham! (I normally only bother if I've missed the X21)

Do the 12/12A justify having single deckers, everytime I see one theres either nobody on or a handful of passengers? Could easily have a Solo on there.

(16 Mar 2017, 9:20 pm)Venturego wrote Yes, Would look good with similar depiction as executed on Red Kite brand (But obviously with image of Swift) for Express services 30/70


and Magpie ("Magpies catch Diamonds" possible tag line?) promoting link to  Durham Diamond service 16 at Stanley where previous Diamond 43/44 (which served Newcastle through to Durham) was split in half for service no. 6 (Ex other half part of Diamond 43/44) :



This would re-establish the link through to Durham albeit with change of bus at Stanley.

Hello there Venturego.

That is a very good idea. Very reminiscent of the thinking from the marketing team at British Rail, when looking at rebranding the high speed, premium InterCity 125 trains in the mid 80's. That thinking was successful for B.R. So, why not here? Also, why was the 'West Durham Swift' brand dropped? I did like that one too. Very descriptive of the services.

Anyone when Wear Xpress Citaros will be in Sunderland

(16 Mar 2017, 11:33 pm)Quantumspotter wrote Hello there Venturego.

That is a very good idea. Very reminiscent of the thinking from the marketing team at British Rail, when looking at rebranding the high speed, premium InterCity 125 trains in the mid 80's. That thinking was successful for B.R. So, why not here? Also, why was the 'West Durham Swift' brand dropped? I did like that one too. Very descriptive of the services.

It's a pretty weak brand. It may be relevant to the surroundings but the 6/X70/X71 always remain low during any day. It's the same reason the "Northern" brand was phased out after some 17 months.

I personaly think the corporate liveries should be reserved for flagship services or those which represent former consumed companies.