(04 Jan 2014, 12:54 pm)CatsFast101 wrote Depot standardisation? What is this all about?

So crusader receives new vehicles and the Citaros go to Stanley for X30/X31/X70/X71? It begs the question as to why remove the omnicitys last year.

Along with the new Citaro's for the Lime + the 2 spare

So all in the X30/X31/X70/X71/Lime will be Citaro ran

if i'm reading his hint correctly of course

(04 Jan 2014, 12:55 pm)Greg in Weardale wrote But I'll bet the X3 doesn't last even til the next North Sunderland changes.

Don't think it will either, its one of them services being slowly withdrawn from service.

Still trying to work out where it will turn at, some mentioned the Tesco bus stop (in tesco grounds) but don't think a B10 etc would get round, a MPD maybe.

(04 Jan 2014, 12:54 pm)CatsFast101 wrote Depot standardisation? What is this all about?

I've only explained this about a million times.

'Depot standardisation' means that each depot will have a specific vehicle type which they are primarily allocated for the services which they operate, with some exceptions. For Stanley, Citaros appears to be an option - "Diamond", "West Durham Swift"/"Red Kite", "Lime"...
If the "Lime" receives investment later this year, it means that Stanley will be allocated one 'red spare'. If one of the former "Cobalt Clipper" Citaros goes red, they will be allocated two 'red spares' in total, once the "Lime" vehicles are in service.
This allows for greater flexibility with allocations, it is easier for the engineering department at a specific depot, and also ensures that the high standard of some vehicles is maintained (i.e. A "Diamond" Citaro is VOR, but the red spare from the "Lime" can cover it).

I've also speculated that Washington will become standardised as Versa - "South Tyne" 88/88A are currently allocated Versas, and I've suggested that, when Versas become available (QuayLINK cascades ), they will be allocated to services M2/M3.

Sounds good in an ideal world but I don't think that will ever work in practice. Washington standardised as Versa but Red Arrows/Connection4/W5/W6 are exceptions. Stanley as Citaros is good idea, but Red Kite/15/15A.

(01 Jan 2014, 2:54 pm)tyresmoke wrote Lets not forget the lack of foresight in ordering 13 hybrids and then upping the PVR to 15 a matters of weeks after them entering service! No surprise then that red buses feature daily.

I didn't know that, fairly interesting.

If the Hybrids were moved off the 21 (following all the other wrong purschases they've ever bought for that service) where would they go?

And what would come in on the 21? B9s? (knowing GNE a fleet of Citaro Ks)

(04 Jan 2014, 1:05 pm)CatsFast101 wrote Sounds good in an ideal world but I don't think that will ever work in practice. Washington standardised as Versa but Red Arrows/Connection4/W5/W6 are exceptions. Stanley as Citaros is good idea, but Red Kite/15/15A.

There are exceptions whereby if the 'standardised vehicle' is not suitable, it obviously cannot be allocated - a good example being the "Red Arrows".

If the "Red Kite" generates more revenue than the X70/X71, I imagine Citaros will go there before they go to the X70/X71. Similar story for the X30/X31 and the X70/X71.

May also be worth noting that if the Red Kite and (some of the) West Durham Swift network receives Citaros, Omnis will be freed up... A suitable place, in accordance with depot standardisation? Percy Main... for the joy and wonder that is the Centurion.

(04 Jan 2014, 12:55 pm)Greg in Weardale wrote But I'll bet the X3 doesn't last even til the next North Sunderland changes.

1/10 it is gone by my parents Silver Wedding Anniversary in August lol

(04 Jan 2014, 12:35 pm)fozzovmurton wrote 1/2 Wednesday
2/1 Thursday
10/1 Next Month
10/1 Summer
100/1 They leave it alone from now

Will stick at tenner on the 10/1 'Summer' bet please.
Fixed odds too.
Cos when these changes come into play, the odds will start to tumble like a pack of cards!

(04 Jan 2014, 1:24 pm)andreos1 wrote Will stick at tenner on the 10/1 'Summer' bet please.
Fixed odds too.
Cos when these changes come into play, the odds will start to tumble like a pack of cards!

If anyone wants to financially back Mista Fozz's Turf Accountancy then feel free lmao

(04 Jan 2014, 1:27 pm)fozzovmurton wrote If anyone wants to financially back Mista Fozz's Turf Accountancy then feel free lmao

Not you is it?

(04 Jan 2014, 12:56 pm)Michael wrote Along with the new Citaro's for the Lime + the 2 spare

So all in the X30/X31/X70/X71/Lime will be Citaro ran

if i'm reading his hint correctly of course

I thought the whole point of the omni being moved from Stanley was to allow greater capacity as the X70/X71 used to be rammed on a morning when I used to get on at burnopfield. To be fair they coped really well and ran to time. When the deckers were put on you could garuntee they would least be 20mins late. I think the service deffo warrants DDs but the presidents are as much use as Joey Essex on mastermind!

(04 Jan 2014, 1:42 pm)JP6004 wrote I thought the whole point of the omni being moved from Stanley was to allow greater capacity as the X70/X71 used to be rammed on a morning when I used to get on at burnopfield. To be fair they coped really well and ran to time. When the deckers were put on you could garuntee they would least be 20mins late. I think the service deffo warrants DDs but the presidents are as much use as Joey Essex on mastermind!

I mentioned a few days ago that GNE need to continuously invest in their double decker fleet otherwise they're left in a position whereby some services have to just suffer with single deckers even if they require double deckers, simply because the services need to be upgraded owing to the current rolling stock allocated...
Another example right here!

(04 Jan 2014, 1:46 pm)Dan wrote I mentioned a few days ago that GNE need to continuously invest in their double decker fleet otherwise they're left in a position whereby some services have to just suffer with single deckers even if they require double deckers, simply because the services need to be upgraded owing to the current rolling stock allocated...
Another example right here!

It wouldn't be so bad but these ex London deckers weren't designed to go up even the slightest inclination. I can understand the idea behind getting them to get rid of the Olympians but they have kind of shot themselves in the foot as the presidents need replaced anyway as they have just been run into the ground

(04 Jan 2014, 1:49 pm)JP6004 wrote It wouldn't be so bad but these ex London deckers weren't designed to go up even the slightest inclination. I can understand the idea behind getting them to get rid of the Olympians but they have kind of shot themselves in the foot as the presidents need replaced anyway as they have just been run into the ground

Agreed, but I think that's why no further stock is planned to be brought in second hand... Go North East have learned their lesson from that mistake, in that respect.

With 260 vehicles (of all sizes - midi, mini, full size single and indeed double deckers too) intended to be brought in to the fleet across a three-year time period, I'm sure things will improve.

(04 Jan 2014, 1:53 pm)Dan wrote Agreed, but I think that's why no further stock is planned to be brought in second hand... Go North East have learned their mistake, in that respect.

With 260 vehicles (of all sizes - midi, mini, full size single and indeed double deckers too) intended to be brought in to the fleet across a three-year time period, I'm sure things will improve.

Definitely. Not bad though; replacing half the fleet in 4yrs. Just hope the recent surge in decent branding continues!

(04 Jan 2014, 1:07 pm)gtomlinson wrote I didn't know that, fairly interesting.

If the Hybrids were moved off the 21 (following all the other wrong purschases they've ever bought for that service) where would they go?

They could go on the Crusader. It would be 13 B5's plus 2 B7's supplementing the PVR though.

The Crusader wouldn't bem

And what would come in on the 21? B9s? (knowing GNE a fleet of Citaro Ks)

(04 Jan 2014, 1:29 pm)gtomlinson wrote Not you is it?

That was Stagecoach's hilarious response to me offering odds on GNE related issues...The driver was so desperate to stick a bet on, he got a bit excited and parked the bus in front of the counter

I type this from 6093, a Fab56 with working Wi-Fi!

Not sure which one but a 56 gemini was broke down near hylton about an hour ago. Not good for a brand new bus!

(04 Jan 2014, 4:10 pm)randomdude wrote Not sure which one but a 56 gemini was broke down near hylton about an hour ago. Not good for a brand new bus!

6098 - a problem with the gears.
5209 was also out of service near Hylton Castle.

A Vyking and a new B9 were in hot pursuit of those two vehicles - was quite odd seeing four 56s (although two out of service) in a row all bound for Newcastle!

(04 Jan 2014, 4:16 pm)Dan wrote 6098 - a problem with the gears.
5209 was also out of service near Hylton Castle.

A Vyking and a new B9 were in hot pursuit of those two vehicles - was quite odd seeing four 56s (although two out of service) in a row all bound for Newcastle!

The passengers were transferred onto the solar I was on. Definitely put its capacity to the test. (It was packed)

(04 Jan 2014, 12:45 pm)GuyParkRoyal wrote 8236 was on the 34 this morning departing Chester le Street Red Lion at 24 past the hour. I should be back in Chester le Street in time to see if it is on the 13.24 and will edit this post around 13.35 to advise if it is still out on 34's.
Edit: Update 8236 is still out on 34's departed Red Lion at 13.24 due at Coral's 13.49.

Thanks very much indeed! I managed to photograph it, alongside 8228 and 8237

(04 Jan 2014, 4:48 pm)Tom wrote Thanks very much indeed! I managed to photograph it, alongside 8228 and 8237

8289 was on 50s, but I'm guessing you didn't manage that one?

(04 Jan 2014, 4:49 pm)Dan wrote 8289 was on 50s, but I'm guessing you didn't manage that one?

No, I didn't sadly. I was only in CLS for about 30 minutes, and only saw 4927 and 4929 on the 50. I've already photographed that one anyway

There must have been about five red renowns on the 8/78 too - 4838/39/44/49/03.

(04 Jan 2014, 5:41 pm)Tom wrote No, I didn't sadly. I was only in CLS for about 30 minutes, and only saw 4927 and 4929 on the 50. I've already photographed that one anyway

There must have been about five red renowns on the 8/78 too - 4838/39/44/49/03.

There were two (one on 78 heading out of Lumley and an 8 heading up Pelaw Bank) about 16.45 ish.
Not sure whether you got them.

(04 Jan 2014, 5:51 pm)andreos1 wrote There were two (one on 78 heading out of Lumley and an 8 heading up Pelaw Bank) about 16.45 ish.
Not sure whether you got them.

Do you mean SPD's or Renowns?

Also, do the X70/X71 get one hour layover's at Consett? - 4905 was sitting in a stand blinded up for the X70 to Newcastle, and 4913 went into a stand too, while a Lolyne operated the X71?

(04 Jan 2014, 6:08 pm)Tom wrote Do you mean SPD's or Renowns?

Sorry - Renowns.

(04 Jan 2014, 6:21 pm)andreos1 wrote Sorry - Renowns.

Ah yes, I got 4844/03, rode on 4839/03.

(04 Jan 2014, 6:13 pm)Tom wrote Also, do the X70/X71 get one hour layover's at Consett? - 4905 was sitting in a stand blinded up for the X70 to Newcastle, and 4913 went into a stand too, while a Lolyne operated the X71?

Possibly to recover delays because of late running like what happens with the ventures and bishop Auckland bus station. So a bus will go spare will go out and work the service and when the bus that should of worked the service arrives back it becomes the spare etc. etc. Or maybe they've replaced it after a round trip due to poor reliability on Stanley's fleet.