(28 Mar 2017, 6:51 pm)G-CPTN wrote 'Arriva' livery double decker on 685 through Corbridge towards Carlisle today - too far away to ID and I can't remember the time - middle of the day . . .

Of course, the 602 (which became the TEN) used to run DDs, but the 685 runs from Newcastle along A69 through Hexham to Carlisle.
I wonder if it was busy today?

It was mentioned recently that Arriva has converted one of the boards on service 685 from single-deck to double-deck (interworking with a scholars service).

I would hope that, if this is to become a permanent thing, Arriva will paint the 'decker in Cross Pennine livery. The recent joint re-branding of the service seems a little pointless, otherwise.

7475 is on the X15. 2nd day in a row.

Talking to a driver on the X1 today he said NK15AAO/1594 is of for a new engine. I did get a picture of it last week at the depot with the Mercedes support van.

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(28 Mar 2017, 6:51 pm)G-CPTN wrote 'Arriva' livery double decker on 685 through Corbridge towards Carlisle today - too far away to ID and I can't remember the time - middle of the day . . .

Of course, the 602 (which became the TEN) used to run DDs, but the 685 runs from Newcastle along A69 through Hexham to Carlisle.
I wonder if it was busy today?

(28 Mar 2017, 6:53 pm)Dan wrote It was mentioned recently that Arriva has converted one of the boards on service 685 from single-deck to double-deck (interworking with a scholars service).

I would hope that, if this is to become a permanent thing, Arriva will paint the 'decker in Cross Pennine livery. The recent joint re-branding of the service seems a little pointless, otherwise.

The decker is said to be allocated to assist with capacity on the 1515 departure from Carlisle with scholars from Brampton - not that it interworks with a scholars service.

In an ideal world, this would be the perfect home for one of the Mini-MAX trio - at least then the allocated decker still offers the Free WiFi the Cross Pennine fleet does (when they are actually on the 685 of course...........)

(28 Mar 2017, 7:31 pm)Kuyoyo wrote The decker is said to be allocated to assist with capacity on the 1515 departure from Carlisle with scholars from Brampton - not that it interworks with a scholars service.

In an ideal world, this would be the perfect home for one of the Mini-MAX trio - at least then the allocated decker still offers the Free WiFi the Cross Pennine fleet does (when they are actually on the 685 of course...........)

Indeed - though still means a lot of money has been wasted on re-branding the service. Paying for the brand and associated marketing (the work from Best Impressions doesn't come cheap), paying for the refurbishment and repaint of the bus, then the vinyls on top...

I wonder what Stagecoach's view on this is? They've even gone to the effort of branding up the Solo SR allocated to the 'short' 685s...

(28 Mar 2017, 7:39 pm)Dan wrote Indeed - though still means a lot of money has been wasted on re-branding the service. Paying for the brand and associated marketing (the work from Best Impressions doesn't come cheap), paying for the refurbishment and repaint of the bus, then the vinyls on top...

I wonder what Stagecoach's view on this is? They've even gone to the effort of branding up the Solo SR allocated to the 'short' 685s...

But Stagecoach didn't even have any branded in time for the launch!

(28 Mar 2017, 1:35 pm)Cock Robin wrote 7425 was back at Redcar also on 62s.
A Frequenta 15 branded Pulsar was on X22s.

1459 Frequenta spare not 15 branded 
1458 was also out of town on X12s

2831, the 2-branded Solo, is out on the X7/X8 this morning.

(29 Mar 2017, 9:48 am)Multi21 wrote 1459 Frequenta spare not 15 branded 
1458 was also out of town on X12s

No it was definitely a 15 branded one (Boro advert on the nearside, no ad on the rear). Last one into Middlesbrough.

7422 on X12
A Frequenta Solo on X66/7
Black Mondeo car on one of the Stockton buggies!

4806 on 1/5/5A/19
4810 on 1/5/5A/12
4809 on 1/5/5A/12
1510 on X1
4645 on 2
1906 on 2
2851 on X66/X67
1506 or 08 on X66/X67

1479 on Sapphire 6

1532 was making Stanley sparkle on the ED1 this morning

Nk61CXU/1463 on the X21.

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(28 Mar 2017, 7:39 pm)Dan wrote Indeed - though still means a lot of money has been wasted on re-branding the service. Paying for the brand and associated marketing (the work from Best Impressions doesn't come cheap), paying for the refurbishment and repaint of the bus, then the vinyls on top...

I wonder what Stagecoach's view on this is? They've even gone to the effort of branding up the Solo SR allocated to the 'short' 685s...

There has been complaints even before the Cross Pennine upgrade about capacity issues in both the morning and evening, so they've listened to the complaints, just way too late, and after a hell of a lot of money wasted refurbishing an OmniCity which now can't be used! Not like Arriva to waste money on this sorta thing... cough, 4653/9, cough. 

How do the 'displaced' pupils from Haydon Bridge High School travel to Hexham QEHS?
As the 685 only runs hourly, there is potential for overcrowding - or does GNE run a schools service?

1427 (NK09 EKC) on X21 11:15 off Darlington

(30 Mar 2017, 10:34 am)Stuartphin1639 wrote 1427 (NK09 EKC) on X21 11:15 off Darlington

Was apparently on the 2 earlier in the morning.

4805 on 1/5/5A/12.

4810 on 1/5/19

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(30 Mar 2017, 11:12 am)Jimmi wrote Was apparently on the 2 earlier in the morning.

4805 on 1/5/5A/12.

Apparently so but one of 4811/13/14 have broke down on the X21 most probably 4811 as that didn't sound healthy yesterday

1416 on X75/X76
1406 on X66/X67
2865 on 3B

NK09EKD/1428 is on the X1.

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(30 Mar 2017, 5:01 pm)ENEB wrote NK09EKD/1428 is on the X1.

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I saw 1510 on the X1 this afternoon.

4646 is on the 12 right now.

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Forgot to mention these earlier,

1577 on X12.
1523 on 57A whilst 1479 was on the 7.

(30 Mar 2017, 5:35 pm)Jimmi wrote I saw 1510 on the X1 this afternoon.

4646 is on the 12 right now.

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Well I went to Arriva Darlington depot tonight and 1593 was in the pits with the engine bay covered in a black substance.
Also 1594 is of for a new Engine Refit.
Moral of the story is Buy some proper buses like Volvos or some Optare tempos would of been way better for the X1.

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2827 on the X93 this evening, working the 1720 departure from Middlesbrough.
At the same time there was a X93 branded B9 on the 62...
Frequenta spare Pulsar on X12 this morning too

(30 Mar 2017, 7:35 pm)Sinky.1 wrote I wish 1404/5/6/7 were still on the X1. Those were by far the best ones, no pun intended!

I know I was talking to Steve foster on Tuesday night and he was telling me about 1406 and hoe much he misses it. He used to cane them things like there was no tomorrow he loved them. I do miss the things as well.

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(30 Mar 2017, 7:48 pm)ENEB wrote I know I was talking to Steve foster on Tuesday night and he was telling me about 1406 and how much he misses it. He used to cane them things like there was no tomorrow he loved them. I do miss the things as well they were great buses.

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4804 on 1/5/5A/12.

1906 on 3B

1498 on Sapphire 7.

Sapphire 24 pulsar heading into Durham on the 22- due around 1:30, but a little late.

2853 on X66/7 and Stockton's extra 7 today is a 15 branded Pulsar