Yorkshire B7RLE 1105 arrived from Heckmondwike into Durham yesterday.

There are rumours of former Yorkshire E200s 1329/30/31 going back south soon, 1330/1 are in Durham’s scrap pile, unsure where 1329 is.

The Ecocities look to be leaving in a few weeks and could well be bound for Runcorn, with Yorkshire expecting Pulsars from NW I wonder if there could be some 3 way swaps going on…

Watch this space!


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(24 Aug 2023, 7:26 am)tyresmoke wrote Yorkshire B7RLE 1105 arrived from Heckmondwike into Durham yesterday.

There are rumours of former Yorkshire E200s 1329/30/31 going back south soon, 1330/1 are in Durham’s scrap pile, unsure where 1329 is.

The Ecocities look to be leaving in a few weeks and could well be bound for Runcorn, with Yorkshire expecting Pulsars from NW I wonder if there could be some 3 way swaps going on…

Watch this space!


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You've got the Walkergate Streetlite's to go somewhere aswell to add into the mix. Darlington always seemed to be the sensible place to replace the gas buses but if there's stuff coming up from Runcorn (no doubt the MX10 Pulsars as it's all they've got) then who knows where they're off to.

(24 Aug 2023, 8:00 am)Storx wrote You've got the Walkergate Streetlite's to go somewhere aswell to add into the mix. Darlington always seemed to be the sensible place to replace the gas buses but if there's stuff coming up from Runcorn (no doubt the MX10 Pulsars as it's all they've got) then who knows where they're off to.

Yeah they’re supposed to be heading to Darlington to see off the gas buses… maybe NE will see a handful of Pulsars come the other way?
Stockton have repaired 1457 which was pulled off for chassis corrosion so who knows, I kind of expected them to start pulling the worst ones when they were falling, with the amount floating around in reserve now.


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Walkergate Streetlites are being split with half going to Ashington (Svs 1/2) and half to Darlington to finish off the EcoCity withdrawal.

Will end up with Pulsars in reserve/heading to Yorkshire but apparently Arriva have won tenders to bring back the X16 and extend the 57A to Ashington, so some will be kept back for that in October.

EcoCitys are going to be withdrawn and sold, not Runcorn as anticipated.

A small number of 'other' movements will also take place to align fleet, simplify types and start to withdraw E200s and more Solos.u

(24 Aug 2023, 8:07 am)tyresmoke wrote Yeah they’re supposed to be heading to Darlington to see off the gas buses… maybe NE will see a handful of Pulsars come the other way?
Stockton have repaired 1457 which was pulled off for chassis corrosion so who knows, I kind of expected them to start pulling the worst ones when they were falling, with the amount floating around in reserve now.


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Yeah same, mind I thought they'd try and take a dint into the Temsa's at Redcar but suppose the only place they'll be heading to is scrap so don't have any value.

(24 Aug 2023, 8:10 am)RobinHood wrote Walkergate Streetlites are being split with half going to Ashington (Svs 1/2) and half to Darlington to finish off the EcoCity withdrawal.

Will end up with Pulsars in reserve/heading to Yorkshire but apparently Arriva have won tenders to bring back the X16 and extend the 57A to Ashington, so some will be kept back for that in October.

EcoCitys are going to be withdrawn and sold, not Runcorn as anticipated.

A small number of 'other' movements will also take place to align fleet, simplify types and start to withdraw E200s and more Solos.u

Interesting with the 57A, hopefully it'll sort out the reliability issues aswell as it's an absolute mess lately but it'll be interesting to see how that works as one route is longer than the other so one end of it is going to be left with an uneven service without changing it and arguably the Southern end is the stronger end.

(24 Aug 2023, 8:10 am)RobinHood wrote Walkergate Streetlites are being split with half going to Ashington (Svs 1/2) and half to Darlington to finish off the EcoCity withdrawal.

Will end up with Pulsars in reserve/heading to Yorkshire but apparently Arriva have won tenders to bring back the X16 and extend the 57A to Ashington, so some will be kept back for that in October.

EcoCitys are going to be withdrawn and sold, not Runcorn as anticipated.

A small number of 'other' movements will also take place to align fleet, simplify types and start to withdraw E200s and more Solos.u

Interesting thank you… the only other ones I can think of who run the MAN Ecocity is Go Ahead…?! I wonder if just the NE batch are going or if NW are looking to offload theirs too?

Simplifying fleet members makes sense especially as the fleet is ageing somewhat.


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Official Arriva allocation for 3rd September suggests the following transfers:

Fleet No / From / To
1463 Newcastle Blyth
1495 Newcastle Blyth
1499 Newcastle Blyth
1512 Newcastle Durham
1513 Newcastle Durham
1574 Newcastle Ashington
1575 Newcastle Ashington
1576 Newcastle Ashington
1577 Newcastle Ashington
1578 Newcastle Ashington
1581 Newcastle Ashington
1582 Newcastle Ashington
1583 Newcastle Ashington
1584 Newcastle Darlington
1585 Newcastle Darlington
1586 Newcastle Darlington
1587 Newcastle Darlington
1588 Newcastle Darlington
1589 Newcastle Darlington
2601 Newcastle Ashington
2602 Newcastle Ashington
2603 Newcastle Ashington
2859 Newcastle Ashington
2852 Ashington reserve fleet
7507 Newcastle Blyth
7509 Newcastle Blyth
7522 Newcastle Blyth
7524 Newcastle Blyth
7525 Newcastle Blyth
7526 Newcastle Blyth
7553 Newcastle Ashington
7554 Newcastle Ashington
7557 Newcastle Ashington
7558 Newcastle Ashington
7560 Newcastle Ashington
7562 Newcastle Ashington
1461 Ashington Wakefield
1475 Ashington Wakefield
1462 Ashington Durham
1479 Ashington Durham
1497 Ashington Durham
1538 Ashington reserve fleet
1539 Ashington reserve fleet
1407 Durham Wakefield
1434 Reserve fleet Wakefield
1435 Reserve fleet Wakefield
1320 Durham Castleford
1321 Durham Castleford
1322 Durham Castleford
1431 Darlington Stockton
1430 Reserve fleet Redcar
1436 Reserve fleet Redcar
1428 Reserve fleet Stockton
1457 Reserve fleet Stockton
4801 Darlington disposal
4802 Darlington disposal
4804 Darlington disposal
4805 Darlington disposal
4806 Darlington disposal
4807 Darlington disposal
4808 Darlington disposal
4809 Darlington disposal
4811 Darlington disposal
1329 reserve fleet Castleford
1331 reserve fleet Castleford

All 48xx Gas Buses are officially Withdrawn from this weekend.

2579 Sold to Alpha
2830 Sold to Alpha
2837 Sold to Alpha
2834 for disposal
2857 for disposal
2860 Sold to Alpha
2861 Sold to Alpha
2862 Sold to Alpha
2864 Sold to Alpha
2865 Sold to Alpha
2867 for disposal
2868 Sold to Alpha
2869 for disposal
2871 Sold to Alpha
7484 Sold to Alpha
2856 Sold to Alpha

(31 Aug 2023, 11:43 am)RobinHood wrote Official Arriva allocation for 3rd September suggests the following transfers:

Fleet No / From / To
1463 Newcastle Blyth
1495 Newcastle Blyth
1499 Newcastle Blyth
1512 Newcastle Durham
1513 Newcastle Durham
1574 Newcastle Ashington
1575 Newcastle Ashington
1576 Newcastle Ashington
1577 Newcastle Ashington
1578 Newcastle Ashington
1581 Newcastle Ashington
1582 Newcastle Ashington
1583 Newcastle Ashington
1584 Newcastle Darlington
1585 Newcastle Darlington
1586 Newcastle Darlington
1587 Newcastle Darlington
1588 Newcastle Darlington
1589 Newcastle Darlington
2601 Newcastle Ashington
2602 Newcastle Ashington
2603 Newcastle Ashington
2859 Newcastle Ashington
2852 Ashington reserve fleet
7507 Newcastle Blyth
7509 Newcastle Blyth
7522 Newcastle Blyth
7524 Newcastle Blyth
7525 Newcastle Blyth
7526 Newcastle Blyth
7553 Newcastle Ashington
7554 Newcastle Ashington
7557 Newcastle Ashington
7558 Newcastle Ashington
7560 Newcastle Ashington
7562 Newcastle Ashington
1461 Ashington Wakefield
1475 Ashington Wakefield
1462 Ashington Durham
1479 Ashington Durham
1497 Ashington Durham
1538 Ashington reserve fleet
1539 Ashington reserve fleet
1407 Durham Wakefield
1434 Reserve fleet Wakefield
1435 Reserve fleet Wakefield
1320 Durham Castleford
1321 Durham Castleford
1322 Durham Castleford
1431 Darlington Stockton
1430 Reserve fleet Redcar
1436 Reserve fleet Redcar
1428 Reserve fleet Stockton
1457 Reserve fleet Stockton
4801 Darlington disposal
4802 Darlington disposal
4804 Darlington disposal
4805 Darlington disposal
4806 Darlington disposal
4807 Darlington disposal
4808 Darlington disposal
4809 Darlington disposal
4811 Darlington disposal
1329 reserve fleet Castleford
1331 reserve fleet Castleford

All 48xx Gas Buses are officially Withdrawn from this weekend.

2579 Sold to Alpha
2830 Sold to Alpha
2837 Sold to Alpha
2834 for disposal
2857 for disposal
2860 Sold to Alpha
2861 Sold to Alpha
2862 Sold to Alpha
2864 Sold to Alpha
2865 Sold to Alpha
2867 for disposal
2868 Sold to Alpha
2869 for disposal
2871 Sold to Alpha
7484 Sold to Alpha
2856 Sold to Alpha

Assuming some of the boards on the 57/57A are getting upgraded to full singles? If I'm right there's only 2853/2854/2859 at Ashington which could run it since 2852 is technically a spare.

Also interesting to note on there unless something is missing, it seems the solution to the problems to Redcar is to send two buses to Wakefield...?

should be Stockton losing pulsars as Redcar is struggling there should be left out

Which depots will be running the former Jesmond routes (the few that are left) going forward? Is there any change or will 43/44/45/47 and 306 still be out if Blyth?

(31 Aug 2023, 4:37 pm)megansmith wrote should be Stockton losing pulsars as Redcar is struggling there should be left out

Except Redcar presently have 4 working out of reserve - 1430/6 are reinstated later this month with the Middlesbrough Collage runs resuming. The two Pulsars presently in reserve at Stockton are undergoing major chassis repair work - and will eventually be reinstated with the College runs resuming as well as the PVR increase on the 29. Not to mention that Stockton have the lowest spare ratio of any of the Durham County depots even after these changes and you will come to realise why Redcar are sending reserved Pulsars to Yorkshire as Commander replacements.

(31 Aug 2023, 4:17 pm)Storx wrote Assuming some of the boards on the 57/57A are getting upgraded to full singles? If I'm right there's only 2853/2854/2859 at Ashington which could run it since 2852 is technically a spare.

None of them are being upgraded to singles.

(31 Aug 2023, 4:37 pm)megansmith wrote should be Stockton losing pulsars as Redcar is struggling there should be left out

Solo on the X4 again today.

(31 Aug 2023, 7:40 pm)Andreos1 wrote Solo on the X4 again today.

Inexcusable given the fleet mix that they have.

However, putting it into context, Whitby will always have a spare Solo on paper in order to ensure that they cover their schools requirements. So if a Whitby X4 goes down, this is pretty much the outcome.

Darlo loses 10 and gains 6. 2 less needed due to loss of the Hurworth 12. So I wonder why allocation falls by a further 2?

(31 Aug 2023, 8:35 pm)9920up wrote Darlo loses 10 and gains 6. 2 less needed due to loss of the Hurworth 12. So  I wonder why allocation falls by a further 2?

Following the service reductions in July, I think this is also some fall out from that, basically buses that should have come out a few weeks ago.

(31 Aug 2023, 5:54 pm)mb134 wrote None of them are being upgraded to singles.

I've heard that Solo replacements for the 57/57a are due, I don't know if there are new or cascades though.

(31 Aug 2023, 9:02 pm)solsburian wrote I've heard that Solo replacements for the 57/57a are due, I don't know if there are new or cascades though.

Not sure what mind, there's nothing really about unless it involves taking buses elsewhere.

The only buses potentially available are the SLS Streetlite's in London from the 450 which ends at the end of this month and are currently routeless. Would fit in with the 1 and 2 and have the Ashington fleet fully Streetlite. (They're short 9.7m ones).

If they did turn up, they could potentally be the answer for Whitby aswell.

What buses are going on to the 434?

(01 Sep 2023, 10:20 am)NEbushopper wrote What buses are going on to the 434?

2601-3.

(31 Aug 2023, 4:46 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Except Redcar presently have 4 working out of reserve - 1430/6 are reinstated later this month with the Middlesbrough Collage runs resuming. The two Pulsars presently in reserve at Stockton are undergoing major chassis repair work - and will eventually be reinstated with the College runs resuming as well as the PVR increase on the 29. Not to mention that Stockton have the lowest spare ratio of any of the Durham County depots even after these changes and you will come to realise why Redcar are sending reserved Pulsars to Yorkshire as Commander replacements.

So basically yet again Redcar down buses again. They barely have anyone on the road. 
4719 should just be withdrawn as it's been off the road more thanks than it's been on it. 

No replacements at all it's ridiculous

(01 Sep 2023, 12:54 pm)Ryland wrote So basically yet again Redcar down buses again. They barely have anyone on the road. 
4719 should just be withdrawn as it's been off the road more thanks than it's been on it. 

No replacements at all it's ridiculous

Read again - those Pulsars have been operating from reserve since the July changes. Meaning, they aren't officially on Redcar's fleet. 1430/6 are reinstated in a fornight's time but 1434 (which is presently at Durham) and 1435 are off to Yorkshire.
And Redcar shouldn't be short - they have the second largest amount of spare vehicles for their PVR of the Durham County operation (Durham has the largest at present) of 8 for a PVR of 50 meanwhile Stockton have to struggle with just 7 spare vehicles for a PVR of 63.

The issue here is well known - Redcar have a shortage of engineers so that's the struggle at present.

In my head. Why not trail the gas buses at Redcar. Obviously Redcar would need to get the facility to fuel them.
Then have the gas bus for the 62/63 route.
Streetlites and pulsar for the X2/3/4 nd 81
Source some new buses for the 95/6
MMC deckers for the x93/4

(01 Sep 2023, 1:20 pm)Ryland wrote In my head. Why not trail the gas buses at Redcar. Obviously Redcar would need to get the facility to fuel them.
Then have the gas bus for the 62/63 route.
Streetlites and pulsar for the X2/3/4 nd 81
Source some new buses for the 95/6
MMC deckers for the x93/4

There's a reason they're binning the Gas Buses - the cost of Gas is presently that expensive it's not worth it. Add to the fact they are currently one of the most unreliably vehicle types in the company (in ironic terms, Durham are also getting rid of most of their most unreliable vehicles - the E200s) which will help Darlington's operational reliability improve massively.

(01 Sep 2023, 1:02 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Read again - those Pulsars have been operating from reserve since the July changes. Meaning, they aren't officially on Redcar's fleet. 1430/6 are reinstated in a fornight's time but 1434 (which is presently at Durham) and 1435 are off to Yorkshire.
And Redcar shouldn't be short - they have the second largest amount of spare vehicles for their PVR of the Durham County operation (Durham has the largest at present) of 8 for a PVR of 50 meanwhile Stockton have to struggle with just 7 spare vehicles for a PVR of 63.

The issue here is well known - Redcar have a shortage of engineers so that's the struggle at present.

So Redcar are keeping
2857
2861
2863
2870

(01 Sep 2023, 1:02 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Read again - those Pulsars have been operating from reserve since the July changes. Meaning, they aren't officially on Redcar's fleet. 1430/6 are reinstated in a fornight's time but 1434 (which is presently at Durham) and 1435 are off to Yorkshire.
And Redcar shouldn't be short - they have the second largest amount of spare vehicles for their PVR of the Durham County operation (Durham has the largest at present) of 8 for a PVR of 50 meanwhile Stockton have to struggle with just 7 spare vehicles for a PVR of 63.

The issue here is well known - Redcar have a shortage of engineers so that's the struggle at present. 

If there's a shortage of engineers to put right the knackered vehicles (and therefore maintain the PVR), then I am struggling to understand why they would make the fleet smaller. 
Surely the opposite needs to happen, at least temporarily?

(01 Sep 2023, 3:00 pm)Andreos1 wrote If there's a shortage of engineers to put right the knackered vehicles (and therefore maintain the PVR), then I am struggling to understand why they would make the fleet smaller. 
Surely the opposite needs to happen, at least temporarily?

Its a bit of a catch 22 situation. Make the fleet bigger to help the local team sounds like the right thing to do, but just means more buses to inspect, repair defects and MOT test. In turn, makes life more difficult as they are spread more thinly across the fleet in terms of maintenance.
Actually reducing the number of buses gradually, but providing more support (in terms of skilled engineers) from other depots is the chosen direction to get them back on track.

---

(01 Sep 2023, 1:46 pm)Ryland wrote So Redcar are keeping
2857
2861
2863
2870

No 2857 is not staying.

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(01 Sep 2023, 1:26 pm)Kuyoyo wrote There's a reason they're binning the Gas Buses - the cost of Gas is presently that expensive it's not worth it. Add to the fact they are currently one of the most unreliably vehicle types in the company (in ironic terms, Durham are also getting rid of most of their most unreliable vehicles - the E200s) which will help Darlington's operational reliability improve massively.

The gas buses are requiring overhaul of the gas delivery systems (pipework, regulators, storage etc), which costs more than the book value of the vehicle to do. This is why they are being withdrawn, as its cheaper to write them off.

When are 1433 and 1439 due back to Redcar?
Or Redcar keeping the MMCs
Definitely need rid of of ex London buses as they are just rotten

(01 Sep 2023, 9:12 pm)Ryland wrote When are 1433 and 1439 due back to Redcar?
Or Redcar keeping the MMCs
Definitely need rid of of ex London buses as they are just rotten

Have heard from Redcar that 1433/9 and 7575/6 are due to be swapped back this weekend but the allocation doesn’t support that - so watch this space!

As for removing more vehicles from Redcar, I’m not sure what the answer is but suffice to say the depot is dying through lost mileage and it’s not going to get any better any time soon…


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(31 Aug 2023, 11:43 am)RobinHood wrote Official Arriva allocation for 3rd September suggests the following transfers:

Fleet No / From / To

1512 Newcastle Durham
1513 Newcastle Durham

1538 Ashington reserve fleet
1539 Ashington reserve fleet

Assuming 1539/9 are kept in reserve pending the X16, I feel like it may have been a more sensible decision to transfer 1538/9 down to Durham and keep the newer pair in Northumbria for the demanding and busy Morpeth express corridor. It would also have ensured relative feature parity with the other vehicles on the corridor, rather than 2 vehicles which haven't been repainted since new and are lacking WiFi, charging, or e-leather seating.