(20 Jan 2014, 8:09 pm)CatsFast101 wrote Hopefully something like 20/35 and not something like the 39/38!

They are red, they will go on anything that requires a bus and does not go under any low bridges to be honest

(20 Jan 2014, 8:12 pm)CatsFast101 wrote Good question regarding 3964's future, I wonder if it'll remain in it's current livery until they have some thing else to brand/paint it for?

Also, I'm according to fleet allocation 5204-5209 are all still fab56 which ones are now in black?

I imagine it will be kept in that livery until the next person comes along wanting to have it in a promotional livery.

5205 is the only Solar in black. I also reported 5207 to have gone for repaint the other day - not sure how long ago, but if it's been about half a week, it'll be back at Deptford in black now.

(20 Jan 2014, 8:15 pm)Michael wrote Hopefully, have the annoying next stops being turned on yet?

They weren't on Saturday not sure about today though.
And yeah I know 5205-5209 are going into black just wasn't sure which ones had been done.

(20 Jan 2014, 8:15 pm)Michael wrote Hopefully, have the annoying next stops being turned on yet?

Not yet.

(20 Jan 2014, 12:19 pm)grandad wrote A couple of questions:

Was 'Red Kite' the first branded service?

Did it receive the first OmniCities?

In the original press release did it say 'travel in air-conditioned comfort'?

If Q2 is affirmed, would it be reasonable to expect that when the Omni's are cascaded, they will be replaced with new vehicles?

Sorry, that's for questions!

Red Kite wasn't branded till about 2007? I believe the first truly branded service would have been either the old Northern 'Mini LINK' buses, or the original X66 supershuttle branding. Of the modern day branding, I'd perhaps say the Red Arrows coaches? I may be well out with that info though.

The OmniCities arrives in 2007.

Yes - Omnis were advertised as being air conditioned, but apparently it's very poor?

New vehicles? Who knows.

(20 Jan 2014, 12:19 pm)grandad wrote A couple of questions:

Was 'Red Kite' the first branded service?

Did it receive the first OmniCities?

In the original press release did it say 'travel in air-conditioned comfort'?

If Q2 is affirmed, would it be reasonable to expect that when the Omni's are cascaded, they will be replaced with new vehicles?

Sorry, that's for questions!

Red Kite wasn't branded till about 2007? I believe the first truly branded service would have been either the old Northern 'Mini LINK' buses, or the original X66 supershuttle branding. Of the modern day branding, I'd perhaps say the Red Arrows coaches? I may be well out with that info though.

The OmniCities arrives in 2007.

Yes - Omnis were advertised as being air conditioned, but apparently it's very poor?

New vehicles? Who knows.

(20 Jan 2014, 8:51 pm)aureolin wrote Red Kite wasn't branded till about 2007? I believe the first truly branded service would have been either the old Northern 'Mini LINK' buses, or the original X66 supershuttle branding. Of the modern day branding, I'd perhaps say the Red Arrows coaches? I may be well out with that info though.

The OmniCities arrives in 2007.

Yes - Omnis were advertised as being air conditioned, but apparently it's very poor?

New vehicles? Who knows.

I'd say it was either that or the X10 'Extend your Horizons' which I quite liked.

i think the red spares for 56 will probs be on 56 as the other day i saw a red scania on 56 didnt get the fleet number and that was saturday enroute to see my beloved Sunderland A.F.C play we drew 2-2 in that game but keep the faith thats my motto but if the 2 red ones were out my mates uncle who works for deptford might know

(20 Jan 2014, 9:09 pm)Bazza Houston wrote i think the red spares for 56 will probs be on 56 as the other day i saw a red scania on 56 didnt get the fleet number and that was saturday enroute to see my beloved Sunderland A.F.C play we drew 2-2 in that game but keep the faith thats my motto but if the 2 red ones were out my mates uncle who works for deptford might know

Not all the time though, they will venture out on other routes, reason their was a red scania out on the 56 was because the last branded one was waiting for its tax to come though, it has now arrived at deptford along with the 2 spares. Hopefully it will be out tommoz.

(18 Jan 2014, 10:05 pm)citaro5284 wrote So then the 5's would not then be low cost. Dead Mileage to SMR will still work out cheaper. Something that looks ideal is not normally the correct solution when all the costs are analysed.

But could go low cost if they were in Deptford's low cost unit?

One of the reasons 5 is low cost is the union agreement that allows Saltmeadows drivers to take breaks away from company premises. The 5's take breaks at Jarrow.

(20 Jan 2014, 9:06 pm)northtynelinks2 wrote I'd say it was either that or the X10 'Extend your Horizons' which I quite liked.

When was 21 (24 Hour Service) Branded?

Think that was just before the horrible Stanley Shuttle branding

(20 Jan 2014, 9:24 pm)gtomlinson wrote When was 21 (24 Hour Service) Branded?

Think that was just before the horrible Stanley Shuttle branding

I believe the Stanley Shuttle was around 2006 and the Diamond came into play a year after. Id say the 21 (24 hour service) was either late 2006 or early 2007 so id say they were pretty close together.

(20 Jan 2014, 9:16 pm)R838PRG wrote But could go low cost if they were in Deptford's low cost unit?

One of the reasons 5 is low cost is the union agreement that allows Saltmeadows drivers to take breaks away from company premises. The 5's take breaks at Jarrow.

But the discussion was linking the 5 with the 9, so does that mean the 9 would become low cost, and once again the TU at Deptford would not be too pleased.

Seen a Red Spare Versa earlier in Newcastle, I believe it may of been on Saltwell Park service, however I cant remember.

I noticed despite the fact its a spare the screen inside the bus said 'Citylink'

Can they not change these to the service its on, IE being linked in with the system

Or is this bus just programmed to show this continiously regardless of what service its on.

Withdraw 5 r have the service go threw the nook marsedn and horsley hill then have it follow stagecoach 7 to town coz think its about time we had a bus that goes up the hill everyday waiting for the X34 is always late cba with that just my thoughts

(20 Jan 2014, 10:27 pm)Arcticrossy92 wrote Seen a Red Spare Versa earlier in Newcastle, I believe it may of been on Saltwell Park service, however I cant remember.

I noticed despite the fact its a spare the screen inside the bus said 'Citylink'

Can they not change these to the service its on, IE being linked in with the system

Or is this bus just programmed to show this continiously regardless of what service its on.

No I don't think the screen can be changed and that's interesting about the spare vehicles, surely a generic GNE screen could be created and shown instead? I do remember 8319 always having a SimpliCity screen still from its time as previously branded as SimpliCity, however I didn't think they'd have new vehicles like that.

(20 Jan 2014, 10:27 pm)Arcticrossy92 wrote Seen a Red Spare Versa earlier in Newcastle, I believe it may of been on Saltwell Park service, however I cant remember.

I noticed despite the fact its a spare the screen inside the bus said 'Citylink'

Can they not change these to the service its on, IE being linked in with the system

Or is this bus just programmed to show this continiously regardless of what service its on.

I think when the red spare and 'Citylink' Versas are off the 58 route, it displays Citylink "for more information visit...".

From my experience, when they're on the 58 and the system is a bit lost, or the bus has been waiting a while at a bus stop, it will display Citylink "Service 58 to...", as well as the usual next stop display. I've also noticed on the Heworth to Newcastle journeys, the screens display "Service 58 to Hadrian Park" regardless of whether they're terminating at Newcastle or continuing to Hadrian Park.

Can this be changed, as I'm intrigued how the Venture displays work with the interworking? Also, does the 58X have next-stop announcements, as the Coast Road stops and stops beyond will be different?

(20 Jan 2014, 11:02 pm)BJ10VUS wrote I think when the red spare and 'Citylink' Versas are off the 58 route, it displays Citylink "for more information visit...".

From my experience, when they're on the 58 and the system is a bit lost, or the bus has been waiting a while at a bus stop, it will display Citylink "Service 58 to...", as well as the usual next stop display. I've also noticed on the Heworth to Newcastle journeys, the screens display "Service 58 to Hadrian Park" regardless of whether they're terminating at Newcastle or continuing to Hadrian Park.

Can this be changed, as I'm intrigued how the Venture displays work with the interworking? Also, does the 58X have next-stop announcements, as the Coast Road stops and stops beyond will be different?

Nah the 58X don't use the screens, always off when I've sued this service

(20 Jan 2014, 11:02 pm)BJ10VUS wrote I think when the red spare and 'Citylink' Versas are off the 58 route, it displays Citylink "for more information visit...".

From my experience, when they're on the 58 and the system is a bit lost, or the bus has been waiting a while at a bus stop, it will display Citylink "Service 58 to...", as well as the usual next stop display. I've also noticed on the Heworth to Newcastle journeys, the screens display "Service 58 to Hadrian Park" regardless of whether they're terminating at Newcastle or continuing to Hadrian Park.

Can this be changed, as I'm intrigued how the Venture displays work with the interworking? Also, does the 58X have next-stop announcements, as the Coast Road stops and stops beyond will be different?

i noticed the same inside 5389 while en route to newcastle however my bus spotting was cut short when i found out that monkey aka richard pardon my french ****lady "tiplady" was on 5389 a few hours later

In regards to the red spares, they look awfully plain without Northern Logos, I would of expected giant Go North East logos in there place, much like the Versa (9133) on loan a few months back

If you look at the photos i believe it looks 100 times better off something so simple.

(20 Jan 2014, 11:02 pm)BJ10VUS wrote I think when the red spare and 'Citylink' Versas are off the 58 route, it displays Citylink "for more information visit...".

From my experience, when they're on the 58 and the system is a bit lost, or the bus has been waiting a while at a bus stop, it will display Citylink "Service 58 to...", as well as the usual next stop display. I've also noticed on the Heworth to Newcastle journeys, the screens display "Service 58 to Hadrian Park" regardless of whether they're terminating at Newcastle or continuing to Hadrian Park.

Can this be changed, as I'm intrigued how the Venture displays work with the interworking? Also, does the 58X have next-stop announcements, as the Coast Road stops and stops beyond will be different?

Agree with these points completely. Showing '58 to Hadrian Park' when it's terminating at Newcastle is just going to confuse people. If it's one of journeys like a once/twice a day 56 which terminates short at Concord then that's not so bad I suppose, but when it's everyday day in day out and half the journeys then it needs sorting really.

And I'm also intrigued at how Venutre works, it must be possible to have multiple services on there.

(21 Jan 2014, 8:49 am)CatsFast101 wrote Agree with these points completely. Showing '58 to Hadrian Park' when it's terminating at Newcastle is just going to confuse people. If it's one of journeys like a once/twice a day 56 which terminates short at Concord then that's not so bad I suppose, but when it's everyday day in day out and half the journeys then it needs sorting really.

And I'm also intrigued at how Venutre works, it must be possible to have multiple services on there.

I would imagine so. The red arrows has both X1 and 921 displays

(20 Jan 2014, 4:09 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Put a Tenner on it been a Drugs Raid or Someone with some form of Weapon walking around Suspiciously, This is Birtley we are talking about here.

What's wrong with Birtley like?
These Lambtonians eh? Haha

There was an incident by the shop opposite the Coach & Horses at one point yesterday.
No idea if it was connected.

(21 Jan 2014, 10:31 am)andreos1 wrote What's wrong with Birtley like?
These Lambtonians eh? Haha

There was an incident by the shop opposite the Coach & Horses at one point yesterday.
No idea if it was connected.

Yes it was the same thing. The irony of someone from Washington mocking Birtley eh?

(21 Jan 2014, 12:34 pm)gtomlinson wrote Yes it was the same thing. The irony of someone from Washington mocking Birtley eh?

The Andreos1 family have had a presence in Birtley since the 1920's or something.

It could explain why Malarkey has the impression he has of the place like, cos we're always walking around suspiciously, with pocketful's of drugs and a stash of weapons up our coat sleeves

We used to use the bus as our getaway vehicle of choice, but the police became suspicious of our constant hanging around, waiting for a 21.

6088 is out today on 56 managed a nice shot 547 is indeed now at saltmeadows on 27X photos to come later on

(21 Jan 2014, 1:00 pm)andreos1 wrote The Andreos1 family have had a presence in Birtley since the 1920's or something.

It could explain why Malarkey has the impression he has of the place like, cos we're always walking around suspiciously, with pocketful's of drugs and a stash of weapons up our coat sleeves

We used to use the bus as our getaway vehicle of choice, but the police became suspicious of our constant hanging around, waiting for a 21.

This impression came about a Number of Years ago when coming back to Washington on the old 77 from The MetroCentre, and it getting stones lobbed at it and then getting abuse shouted at me as looked out the Window of the Bus to see what was going on, Then we have the That massive Drugs Raid about 5/6 Years ago and then we have Mr Moat and that Person from Yesterday. and Finally not Forgetting sitting up Ayton Park one Friday Night having a few Drinks with my Mates and People I knew from the Year above and below me in School, And getting ambushed by a Mob of Birtley Youths with Weapons about 4 Years ago, who as soon as we got up, Done a Runner back up Towards Washington Services, as they had been standing on the Glass Bridge at the Services, There is a Number of Reasons why I have such a Bad Impression of Birtley.

(21 Jan 2014, 4:28 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote This impression came about a Number of Years ago when coming back to Washington on the old 77 from The MetroCentre, and it getting stones lobbed at it and then getting abuse shouted at me as looked out the Window of the Bus to see what was going on, Then we have the That massive Drugs Raid about 5/6 Years ago and then we have Mr Moat and that Person from Yesterday. and Finally not Forgetting sitting up Ayton Park one Friday Night having a few Drinks with my Mates and People I knew from the Year above and below me in School, And getting ambushed by a Mob of Birtley Youths with Weapons about 4 Years ago, who as soon as we got up, Done a Runner back up Towards Washington Services, as they had been standing on the Glass Bridge at the Services, There is a Number of Reasons why I have such a Bad Impression of Birtley.

Having lived on both sides of the motorway, I can safely say the places are as good/bad as each other.
Experienced broken windows on buses, fights in the park (physically scarred for life after one incident) drugs busts, heard about armed police responding etc all in Washington too.

Stuff like that happens all over the place, even Fencehouses

(21 Jan 2014, 1:00 pm)andreos1 wrote The Andreos1 family have had a presence in Birtley since the 1920's or something.

It could explain why Malarkey has the impression he has of the place like, cos we're always walking around suspiciously, with pocketful's of drugs and a stash of weapons up our coat sleeves

We used to use the bus as our getaway vehicle of choice, but the police became suspicious of our constant hanging around, waiting for a 21.

That made me laugh Andreos

(21 Jan 2014, 4:28 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote This impression came about a Number of Years ago when coming back to Washington on the old 77 from The MetroCentre, and it getting stones lobbed at it and then getting abuse shouted at me as looked out the Window of the Bus to see what was going on, Then we have the That massive Drugs Raid about 5/6 Years ago and then we have Mr Moat and that Person from Yesterday. and Finally not Forgetting sitting up Ayton Park one Friday Night having a few Drinks with my Mates and People I knew from the Year above and below me in School, ]b]And getting ambushed by a Mob of Birtley Youths with Weapons about 4 Years ago[/b], who as soon as we got up, Done a Runner back up Towards Washington Services, as they had been standing on the Glass Bridge at the Services, There is a Number of Reasons why I have such a Bad Impression of Birtley.

That Birtley Republican Army are very dangerous indeed

(21 Jan 2014, 5:15 pm)andreos1 wrote Having lived on both sides of the motorway, I can safely say the places are as good/bad as each other.
Experienced broken windows on buses, fights in the park (physically scarred for life after one incident) drugs busts, heard about armed police responding etc all in Washington too.

Stuff like that happens all over the place, even Fencehouses

Lambton is quiet other than when my Neighbour is getting raided, which has happended on Several occasions in the 14 Years I have lived Next Door to them, There no Gangsters by all means, just OAP's trying to make an easy living. Things in Washington mainly kick off over Concord way to be Honest. And must Kick Off all the time in Fencehouses when you and eezypeazy come face2face in the street.