(18 Dec 2013, 12:48 am)CatsFast101 wrote Certainly a lot of ifs and buts should be an interesting few weeks to see upcoming changes, transfers, possible new brands too!
I do remember us discussing the fact that possibly every single bus allocated to the 1 needs the transponders due to the way the timetable works, which causes 9 to be left as a bit of a 'What they have spare' route and as you point out why the 17 gets Lolynes as opposed to the 9 is beyond me.

(18 Dec 2013, 7:49 am)Michael wrote Maybe, unless plans have changed.

Like Dan i think the Omni's will now stay on the 9, going by changes on VOSA, looks like the proposed changes will go ahead.

Not sure of the X30/X31 - rarely see them to say anything.

I hope the 29 is branded.. same as 39, with the 29 using Scania's, 39 Versa's.. i hope.

If 5204 goes black then maybe the rest of the ex-fab 56's could go onto the 29 in a black livery creating the 7 PVR, however, it is possible that maybe not all PVR will be branded as some boards reunite deckers due to interworking with scholars. Also where does this leave the WTX?! The service needs to become reliable or else it will fail!
As if this new 29 is branded then Deptford will have the 99/X36 as their only unbranded routes, I believe.

(18 Dec 2013, 7:10 am)Rob wrote Are the Cobalt Clipper Mercedes destined for the X21?
Would downgrading the 9 (from an enthusiast's view) allow greater reliability?
Does the X30 and X31 operation require double decker operation?
Is the new operation, 29, to be branded?

Well I'm going to punt at maybe the Citaros aren't going to the X21 anymore?
The 9 appears to be keeping the Omnicitys?
X30/X31 may get Northern single buses? Red Scanias?
29 to be branded then?

4963 and 8263 have received rear adverts for "go!"
Believe more are to gain this advert which covers the rear window too.

Hey, CatsFast101... You can't say I didn't tell you not to count your chickens before they hatched, can you? ;)
As things stand presently (still plenty of time for yet another change to the plans), I think the answer to all of Rob's rhetorical questions is 'no', the answers of which have been hinted at plenty of times before the questions were asked earlier today.

(18 Dec 2013, 10:41 am)Dan wrote 4963 and 8263 have received rear adverts for "go!"
Believe more are to gain this advert which covers the rear window too.

Hey, CatsFast101... You can't say I didn't tell you not to count your chickens before they hatched, can you?
As things stand presently (still plenty of time for yet another change to the plans), I think the answer to all of Rob's rhetorical questions is 'no', the answers of which have been hinted at plenty of times before the questions were asked earlier today.

4965 (which I'm on now) has it as does 5201

(18 Dec 2013, 12:09 pm)tyresmoke wrote 4965 (which I'm on now) has it as does 5201

As does 4935.

(18 Dec 2013, 12:36 am)Dan wrote Unless 5204 was painted like this too (which I'm doubtful of), there would only be five vehicles painted in this black base livery.
That wouldn't be enough vehicles for the earlier suggested "Fast Cats" replacement, nor would there be enough for anything to do with the 9 or 26 ('29').
The X30/X31 does have a PVR of 5 though, and I must admit my initial thoughts were leaning towards these services gaining a brand - perhaps "West Durham Swift" making a return, even!

The Centurion on the 9 is supposedly more so to do with the reliability of the "Coaster" branded vehicles.
The Northern Omnicity vehicles replace the similar "Coaster" branded vehicles which are VOR (has earlier been suggested it's owing to the transponders at Wrekenton?), leaving the 9 without its allocated vehicles. For reasons unknown, Percy Main seem to think it's more acceptable to allocate Lolynes (in addition to the two which are required for scholars) to the Centurion, and the B10BLEs to the 9.
God knows why though, but that's Percy Main logic for you right there... Branding out the window!

If 5204-10 are all painted black, that would give them 6 vehicles in total.

(18 Dec 2013, 12:37 pm)palatine3833 wrote If 5204-10 are all painted black, that would give them 6 vehicles in total.

"If" 5204-10 goes black then their might be replacements for the 6 branded fastcats already in service.

I still say that the 7 Cobalt clipper citaros will go onto the Laser as by the fleet allocation that their are 6 solars in the Laser fleet, which in turn the 35 series all citaros.

Too many ifs and buts at present.

Any Geminis on the 56, at my Grandparents arm, but going into Town to catch the Bus home, so may take a few photos

(18 Dec 2013, 12:56 pm)cbma06 wrote "If" 5204-10 goes black then their might be replacements for the 6 branded fastcats already in service.

I still say that the 7 Cobalt clipper citaros will go onto the Laser as by the fleet allocation that their are 6 solars in the Laser fleet, which in turn the 35 series all citaros.

Too many ifs and buts at present.

The 7 Seven Percy Main Mercs... 5331/3-8 are deffo going on the X21 at Crook. They will be painted at Merc (still under paint warranty) from 6th Jan, into midnight blue , same as the connect 4. Are will start on Jan 26th as X21s

(18 Dec 2013, 12:56 pm)cbma06 wrote "If" 5204-10 goes black then their might be replacements for the 6 branded fastcats already in service.

I still say that the 7 Cobalt clipper citaros will go onto the Laser as by the fleet allocation that their are 6 solars in the Laser fleet, which in turn the 35 series all citaros.

Too many ifs and buts at present.

Would they do that if the Laser was to be upgraded next year though?
If the vehicles were to carry the Laser livery, it would be a wasted repaint.
Surely somewhere that they will be comfortable on for a few years would be more appropriate?

(18 Dec 2013, 12:59 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Any Geminis on the 56, at my Grandparents arm, but going into Town to catch the Bus home, so may take a few photos

Not seen any Adam but admittedly I only came down from Felling on the 68 to photo the M25 ( which was the B6LE) and then caught a 56 to Gateshead.

(18 Dec 2013, 1:22 pm)tyresmoke wrote Not seen any Adam but admittedly I only came down from Felling on the 68 to photo the M25 ( which was the B6LE) and then caught a 56 to Gateshead.

I don't believe any have yet been transferred to Deptford, so they shouldn't be on the 56.

(18 Dec 2013, 10:41 am)Dan wrote 4963 and 8263 have received rear adverts for "go!"
Believe more are to gain this advert which covers the rear window too.

4963 is shown here with the advertisement, promoting said campaign.

---

Four new B9s arrived at Saltmeadows today, including:

• Red 6100 (?) - NL63 YJD
  
• Orange 6088 (?) - NL63 YHR
  
• Red 6099 (?) - NL63 YJC
  
• Silver 6110 (?) - NL63 YCO
  

The total of number vehicles which have arrived are as follows:
Deptford (Fab Fifty Six) - 13/15
Deptford (Red Spares) - 2/2
Percy Main (Cobalt Clipper) - 12/15
Percy Main (Red Spare) - 0/2

Total - 27/34

All might be here by Monday, maybe?

(18 Dec 2013, 3:49 pm)Michael wrote All might be here by Monday, maybe?

Assuming there is another arrival of four vehicles and the usual arrival of three over the next two days, they should all be here before the weekend.

(18 Dec 2013, 3:51 pm)Dan wrote Assuming there is another arrival of four vehicles and the usual arrival of three over the next two days, they should all be here before the weekend.

Hopefully the Cobolt Clipper brand is good

Which of the FAB 56's have being branded?

GNE have posted a picture of their new FAB 56 buses on their FB page.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=...0303800710&set=a.217741780709.285520.215880875709&type=1&theater

(18 Dec 2013, 4:08 pm)Michael wrote Which of the FAB 56's have being branded?

Unsure of fleet numbers, but believe ten have been branded (presumably the most recent ones are the ones that haven't been branded).

Also...

(18 Dec 2013, 4:12 pm)Dan wrote Unsure of fleet numbers, but believe ten have been branded (presumably the most recent ones are the ones that haven't been branded).

Also...

Looks quite good from that side, still would of had the Fab Fifty Six on the bottom

(18 Dec 2013, 10:41 am)Dan wrote 4963 and 8263 have received rear adverts for "go!"
Believe more are to gain this advert which covers the rear window too.

Hey, CatsFast101... You can't say I didn't tell you not to count your chickens before they hatched, can you?
As things stand presently (still plenty of time for yet another change to the plans), I think the answer to all of Rob's rhetorical questions is 'no', the answers of which have been hinted at plenty of times before the questions were asked earlier today.

Saw 8251 with the advert on, early this morning on an M3 heading into Birtley

(18 Dec 2013, 4:57 pm)andreos1 wrote Saw 8251 with the advert on, early this morning on an M3 heading into Birtley

Cheers.

Does anyone know what the campaign is all about?
The link on the bus (www.simplygo.com/christmas) advertises the buses over the Christmas and New Year period - I am rather surprised to see so much expense going on these advertisements if it's just for three weeks or so that they'll be applied.

(18 Dec 2013, 5:04 pm)Dan wrote Cheers.

Does anyone know what the campaign is all about?
The link on the bus (www.simplygo.com/christmas) advertises the buses over the Christmas and New Year period - I am rather surprised to see so much expense going on these advertisements if it's just for three weeks or so that they'll be applied.

Notice them on a few vehicles over the weekend and from what I could make out then and this morning, it is just that - Christmas services.
There was a line about how easy it is to get about using their vehicles over Christmas (or words to that affect).

Let's just hope those passengers needing a bus to get to work, but can't due to Saturday services or none at all in their area on Boxing Day don't see it!

a post by GNE on someones comment on the 36/36A..

He asked about plans for the 36/36A...

GNE reply: From the passenger consultation? If so, this information should be communicated in the coming weeks.

Looks like after Christmas now

Regarding the reluctance to allocate deckers to the 9: I think this could largely be due to the offside lane of the northbound Tyne Tunnel being unable to accommodate tall vehicles, due to its height restrictions.

(18 Dec 2013, 5:51 pm)JakeSavage wrote Regarding the reluctance to allocate deckers to the 9: I think this could largely be due to the offside lane of the northbound Tyne Tunnel being unable to accommodate tall vehicles, due to its height restrictions.

They have been allocated in the past plenty of times and can make it through the Tyne Tunnel fine..? I must say the option which makes the most sense is the one GMitchelhill gave, but even then it is a little silly - incidents such as the one which happened at Percy Main a few months back should only ever happen 'once in a blue moon'.

The difference between Percy main bridge and Tyne tunnel is that one is being off route, whilst the other is in the wrong lane.

An easy out, except but for a very robust disciplinary procedure...

(18 Dec 2013, 10:12 am)CatsFast101 wrote Well I'm going to punt at maybe the Citaros aren't going to the X21 anymore?
The 9 appears to be keeping the Omnicitys?
X30/X31 may get Northern single buses? Red Scanias?
29 to be branded then?

Were they ever? Are solid plans ever made that far in advance? Is the suggestion of Mercedes on the X21 just a rumour, or is it fact?

Was at Consett today and notice that the roofline branding varies from bus to bus and is different on each side of the vehicle
[attachment=5088

(18 Dec 2013, 7:44 pm)Coppercap40 wrote Was at Consett today and notice that the roofline branding varies from bus to bus and is different on each side of the vehicle
[attachment=5088

Didn't notice that, good capture.

(18 Dec 2013, 6:46 pm)Rob wrote Were they ever? Are solid plans ever made that far in advance? Is the suggestion of Mercedes on the X21 just a rumour, or is it fact?

Going back along time, i'm sure someone said it was confirmed but plan's can change.

(18 Dec 2013, 8:12 pm)Michael wrote Going back along time, i'm sure someone said it was confirmed but plan's can change.

Point being it shouldn't have been 'confirmed' in the first place because it was far too early to be a definite plan.

Plans are often leaked, and this is of no great convenience to Go North East management because there are later difficulties of enthusiasts, employees, and even customers (if employees have told them rather foolishly) knowing a previous plan, and that then not happening.

There is a correct time for plans to be hinted at, and latterly confirmed, and this is perhaps in the weeks before the first vehicle involved in a plan is due to be repainted/re-branded - not months.

When the time is right, I'm sure the same will happen again for the upcoming vehicle changes.
5205 was quite a nice surprise, wasn't it? Let's keep it the same for the cascades as part of the Fab56/Cobalt Clipper investment.