(11 Feb 2014, 12:30 pm)Dan wrote I think the X30/X31 will be allocated 3886-89 and X70/X71 5250, 5253/54 and 5273.

I thought it was the opposite as X30/X31 isn't as busy as X70/X71?

Also,will Chester not lose 2 Solars/Renowns? As per like for like replacements?

(11 Feb 2014, 8:23 am)Dan wrote The Centurion I had the pleasure of riding from Cramlington to Wallsend at the weekend did too. Was missing a hell of a lot of branding too, but then again, so did two or three others that I photographed.

Speaking of which, 5151 is now at Saltmeadows for repaint.

(11 Feb 2014, 2:39 pm)CatsFast101 wrote I thought it was the opposite as X30/X31 isn't as busy as X70/X71?

Also,will Chester not lose 2 Solars/Renowns? As per like for like replacements?

No, we assumed it to be X30/X31 because Go North East said on Facebook that those services were to be upgraded by the end of 2013 - this, in reality, was achieved by the transfer of 3886-89 to Stanley from CLS.

(11 Feb 2014, 2:42 pm)Dan wrote Speaking of which, 5151 is now at Saltmeadows for repaint.

Any reason why or is it beyond our knowledge yet? Never really been on one before so im guessing its them on their last legs?

(11 Feb 2014, 2:54 pm)northtynelinks2 wrote Any reason why or is it beyond our knowledge yet? Never really been on one before so im guessing its them on their last legs?

All going red.

(11 Feb 2014, 2:56 pm)Dan wrote All going red.

I thought the centurion was going to be upgraded this year by cascades and that, seems that's not happening! Is there much point repainting these surely these will be withdrawn not too far down the line? And is centurion brand been binned? Also would of made more sense doing 5166/5164 first like!

(11 Feb 2014, 3:06 pm)CatsFast101 wrote I thought the centurion was going to be upgraded this year by cascades and that, seems that's not happening! Is there much point repainting these surely these will be withdrawn not too far down the line? And is centurion brand been binned? Also would of made more sense doing 5166/5164 first like!

I've been suggesting things for the past few days now...
A repaint and a good interior scrub should increase their sale value. Let's not forget that it will allow for greater flexibility with allocations.

In regards to the sale value point - which other vehicles may be getting repainted?

(11 Feb 2014, 3:10 pm)Dan wrote I've been suggesting things for the past few days now...
A repaint and a good interior scrub should increase their sale value. Let's not forget that it will allow for greater flexibility with allocations.

Well if they getting an interior once over to then I suppose that will help come withdrawal and sale of the vehicles. To be honest, I fail to why Percy Main found it so difficult to keep 5151-5159 on the centurion 17! 5165/5166 could then be used on the 9 to cover for the Omnicitys when required. Was there ever really a legit reason as to why Centurions were used? it's got to be one the most unexplained stupid wrong/odd allocation at the current time. Also, were the yellow B10's (before they received branding) common on the 9?
It's shame if this is the end of the centurion brand as I think it's one of Go North East's most simple yet effective brands, only problem was the allocations at Percy Main!

(11 Feb 2014, 3:10 pm)Dan wrote In regards to the sale value point - which other vehicles may be getting repainted?

Cadets/MPDs/Renowns/Olympians will be the first ones to be leave the fleet in the future. Could East Durham be receiving a fresh coat of paint? SouthTyne Cadets, Riverside Merits, Deptfords (Not the ex-drifter) cadets maybe?

(11 Feb 2014, 3:10 pm)Dan wrote I've been suggesting things for the past few days now...
A repaint and a good interior scrub should increase their sale value. Let's not forget that it will allow for greater flexibility with allocations.

In regards to the sale value point - which other vehicles may be getting repainted?

Yes!! No more Centurion! Does that mean the Centurion will be upgraded soon!

(11 Feb 2014, 3:59 pm)Tom wrote Yes!! No more Centurion! Does that mean the Centurion will be upgraded soon!

An upgrade is certainly on the cards for the end of the year. With d**** st************* in mind, what are Percy Main likely to get?
Needless to say, the process will not be a cost-cutting exercise and a livery will be professionally designed next time.

(11 Feb 2014, 4:03 pm)Dan wrote An upgrade is certainly on the cards for the end of the year. With d**** st************* in mind, what are Percy Main likely to get?
Needless to say, the process will not be a cost-cutting exercise and a livery will be professionally designed next time.

Lovely omnicities - I guess the Red Kite or the Coaster is on the cards for a upgrade then? Most of the B10BLE's are disgusting.

(11 Feb 2014, 4:08 pm)Tom wrote Lovely omnicities - I guess the Red Kite or the Coaster is on the cards for a upgrade then? Most of the B10BLE's are disgusting.

I've hinted at the Red Kite being a possibility for Citaro cascades in this year's investment plan before, so yup.

(11 Feb 2014, 4:14 pm)Dan wrote I've hinted at the Red Kite being a possibility for Citaro cascades in this year's investment plan before, so yup.

I think a Omnicity will look nice in yellow!

(11 Feb 2014, 4:14 pm)Dan wrote I've hinted at the Red Kite being a possibility for Citaro cascades in this year's investment plan before, so yup.

I hope cruasder swaps with red kites. Citaros for omnicitys (please GoNE swap them)

(11 Feb 2014, 4:15 pm)Tom wrote I think a Omnicity will look nice in yellow!

Might not be yellow! Remember, the B10BLEs were already in yellow from when they raced up and down the glorious banks at Blaydon - the idea behind the Centurion, if we are honest, was to cover up any vinyl marks left behind.

(11 Feb 2014, 4:19 pm)Panasonic44 wrote I hope cruasder swaps with red kites. Citaros for omnicitys (please GoNE swap them)

The Citaros on the Crusader will be freed up at the end of the year if the service receives brand new Geminis...

(11 Feb 2014, 4:19 pm)Panasonic44 wrote I hope cruasder swaps with red kites. Citaros for omnicitys (please GoNE swap them)

Hinted the Crusader will get new buses this year.

(11 Feb 2014, 4:20 pm)Dan wrote The Citaros on the Crusader will be freed up at the end of the year if the service receives brand new Geminis...

I personally don't think the 27 needs Geminis...

(11 Feb 2014, 4:20 pm)Dan wrote The Citaros on the Crusader will be freed up at the end of the year if the service receives brand new Geminis...

Could be red?

(11 Feb 2014, 4:22 pm)Tom wrote I personally don't think the 27 needs Geminis...

It's what GNE think at the end of the day!

(11 Feb 2014, 4:26 pm)Tom wrote Could be red?

Depending on whats on what route by the time that happens.. they could be used as just Northern routes as spares.. think it was Dan who suggested something like that.

(11 Feb 2014, 4:26 pm)Tom wrote Could be red?

Point is the revised "Centurion" allocation at the end of the year (if it happens...) could be any colour - midnight blue, hot pink, gold or silver. A proper job will be done of it, is all I'm saying.

(11 Feb 2014, 4:28 pm)Dan wrote Point is the revised "Centurion" allocation at the end of the year (if it happens...) could be any colour - midnight blue, hot pink, gold or silver. A proper job will be done of it, is all I'm saying.

I would probably guess red like. And if the proposed plans are to upgrade the Crusader to Geminis, maybe that's why the citaros wear simple branding?

(11 Feb 2014, 4:34 pm)northtynelinks2 wrote I would probably guess red like. And if the proposed plans are to upgrade the Crusader to Geminis, maybe that's why the citaros wear simple branding?

I do think Go North East saw the rapid growth in the Crusader, and knew it would be a contender for investment this year - so I'd suggest you are correct.

(11 Feb 2014, 4:21 pm)Michael wrote Hinted the Crusader will get new buses this year.

I am hoping it will be swapping over with 45/46 instead of Double Deckers.
I just have to wait.

(11 Feb 2014, 4:37 pm)Panasonic44 wrote I am hoping it will be swapping over with 45/46 instead of Double Deckers.
I just have to wait.

Do you think that's realistic? Downgrading (in regards to both reliability and age) the Crusader to OmniCitys?

(11 Feb 2014, 4:37 pm)Panasonic44 wrote I am hoping it will be swapping over with 45/46 instead of Double Deckers.
I just have to wait.

It will be new vehicles, not a swap (especially when there's only 9 OmniCitys on the 45/46, and 14 Citaros on the 27).

(11 Feb 2014, 4:42 pm)Dan wrote Do you think that's realistic? Downgrading (in regards to both reliability and age) the Crusader to OmniCitys?

Like above, not enough anyway. I think the likelihood is as followed:
B5TL Geminis for 27 (14 + 1/2 spares) replaces 5310-9 (9 of them) to Stanely for the Red Kite which allow 5234-42 to move to Percy Main for the 17/307. You are then left with 5328-30/2 (along with one of 5310-9 (5310 or 5319 the most likely).

(11 Feb 2014, 4:42 pm)Dan wrote Do you think that's realistic? Downgrading (in regards to both reliability and age) the Crusader to OmniCitys?

Whats wrong with Citaros anyway?! - They are nice, and so are the Omnicities.

So this is getting interesting, we now saying that:
Crusader & Laser will receive Geminis or at least deckers (Always been rumoured) the Citaros can be then be freed up for West Durham Swift/Fab57/Pulse/Prince Bishops. They'll have 26 Citaros for cascades.
Red Kite could receive investment, possibly Citaros. Allowing the Omnicitys to move to Centurion 17.
Lime is highly likely to receive investment with new Citaros very much a possibility.
X66 & ToonLink both long been rumoured to be receiving new Versas, particularly the former.

That could take care of 80 new buses for 2014. Maybe one/two other service to be upgraded wonder what that could be? ToonLink has been rumoured previously?
It also means Stanley will be inundated with Citaros, Riverside will have a fair few Versa running about and Percy Main has a whole lot of Omnicity which will make Dan happy as he loves 'depot standardisation'!

Note, this all just speculation and bring together rumours and far far from confirmation on any orders!

(11 Feb 2014, 4:42 pm)Dan wrote Do you think that's realistic? Downgrading (in regards to both reliability and age) the Crusader to OmniCitys?

I thought it was realistic but considering it only has 9 of them. However I think they are more suited for cruasder because they have more room/space.

I hope it be Scania Omnicity DD from London instead of Geminis but I do like the hybirds from 21 (if only).