This section has become quieter, hasn't it? 

I don't know if anyone else bothered, this year. The few buses displayed (very few of those were preserved vehicles) were shoved right to the back of the car park. The only big operator exhibiting was Stagecoach. It was nice to see their busways commemorative vehicles all together, though.

The weather was foul and some of the stallholders were on the verge of giving up quite early.

11297 didn't attend due an RTA earlier in the week. Not enough to take it off the road but not exactly presentable. It was replaced by 10000.

Go North East's abscence was noticable but understandable. Surprisingly few preserved vehicles.

Arriva did bring a DT Citaro and a 400MMC about midday.

(04 May 2025, 4:50 pm)BusLoverMum wrote This section has become quieter, hasn't it? 

I don't know if anyone else bothered, this year. The few buses displayed (very few of those were preserved vehicles) were shoved right to the back of the car park. The only big operator exhibiting was Stagecoach. It was nice to see their busways commemorative vehicles all together, though.

The weather was foul and some of the stallholders were on the verge of giving up quite early.

I haven't attended the Metrocentre rally since 2021.. over the last few years it's seemingly gone downhill big time. This year appears to be the worst so far from what I've heard!

I'm not sure what's happened this year, but it doesn't feel like it's been heavily promoted or anything? Aside from the Facebook event created, there was only a reminder on posted on Thursday.

I imagine some of it is due to the Trust struggling with volunteers, but the lack of preserved vehicles is surprising.

There was a bit of a barny when an operators vehicle nearly reversed into another persons preserved vehicle which lead to some of the preserved vehicles leaving earlier.

Noticed 11297 had a bit of a scrape on its offside rear corner when I photoed it at Walker Bus Terminal on my way home (resulting in me photoing all Busways heritage liveries today).

Also there was an event on at Whitehaven too.

The one event I think is a great miss was the 500 Group running day event, was usually a well organised affair. Sadly they were prevented from using the Transporter Bridge as the base for the event.

The post on their facebook page thanking attendees is a bit weird - one photo of three buses, and two photos of empty car park

(04 May 2025, 7:10 pm)Rapidsnap wrote There was a bit of a barny when an operators vehicle nearly reversed into another persons preserved vehicle which lead to some of the preserved vehicles leaving earlier.

Noticed 11297 had a bit of a scrape on its offside rear corner when I photoed it at Walker Bus Terminal on my way home (resulting in me photoing all Busways heritage liveries today).

Also there was an event on at Whitehaven too.

The one event I think is a great miss was the 500 Group running day event, was usually a well organised affair. Sadly they were prevented from using the Transporter Bridge as the base for the event.

We only made it to the 500 running event the once but it was a really nice event with a fab backdrop.

I’m wondering whether they will even bother with this one, next year.

(04 May 2025, 7:10 pm)Rapidsnap wrote There was a bit of a barny when an operators vehicle nearly reversed into another persons preserved vehicle which lead to some of the preserved vehicles leaving earlier.

Noticed 11297 had a bit of a scrape on its offside rear corner when I photoed it at Walker Bus Terminal on my way home (resulting in me photoing all Busways heritage liveries today).

Also there was an event on at Whitehaven too.

The one event I think is a great miss was the 500 Group running day event, was usually a well organised affair. Sadly they were prevented from using the Transporter Bridge as the base for the event.

Someone sent me a video of the incident in question.

(04 May 2025, 9:12 pm)MurdnunoC wrote Someone sent me a video of the incident in question.

That was rather close.

(04 May 2025, 6:25 pm)Adrian wrote I'm not sure what's happened this year, but it doesn't feel like it's been heavily promoted or anything? Aside from the Facebook event created, there was only a reminder on posted on Thursday.

I imagine some of it is due to the Trust struggling with volunteers, but the lack of preserved vehicles is surprising.

I don't think it's that surprising really if you've seen the last few years, for years it has been shunned by some preservationists due to being the "GNE Show" this tied in with the now more well regarded event in Whitehaven taking place over the same weekend only further draws people away from the Metrocentre event.

From what I've seen, there was somewhere in the region of 15-20 entries today, Stagecoach making up a fair number of those along with 4 from JH Coaches, 2 from Arriva, and Keiths Coaches brought along their new Yutong TC9, then a small selection of preserved stuff.

The biggest problem is the reputation that these events have attracted amongst not just the bus community, but in the case of last year, the general public. I've heard a few now won't entertain such events or enthusiasts in a general sense because of a lack of respect and behaviour shown, the younger generation being singled out in particular.

Have heard nothing but bad accounts from the event again this year, enthusiasts shouting and swearing on-board buses when families/children have also been present, enthusiasts going round in full company uniforms acting like they're in some way official representatives when that is not actually the case which led to some issues/confusion with the entrants.

I fear any good grace amongst the local enthusiast scene has diminished with incidents which have occurred in recent years, like above and it could be said we don't deserve anything nice now as a consequence of the actions of some.

(04 May 2025, 4:50 pm)BusLoverMum wrote This section has become quieter, hasn't it? 

I don't know if anyone else bothered, this year. The few buses displayed (very few of those were preserved vehicles) were shoved right to the back of the car park. The only big operator exhibiting was Stagecoach. It was nice to see their busways commemorative vehicles all together, though.

The weather was foul and some of the stallholders were on the verge of giving up quite early.

Pushed futher back due to Go North East wanting to run an X50 for the Magic weekend so GNE had spoke to the trust asking for them to have the bottom half of the car park so the trust agreed. Then no sign of the X50 today as was told the gne team who run the X50 "kicked off a fuss about the event so didn't bother running it". So gne talked to them about it asked them to do this and then decide "nah cba" and just didn't bother

(05 May 2025, 7:11 am)Aaron21 wrote Pushed futher back due to Go North East wanting to run an X50 for the Magic weekend so GNE had spoke to the trust asking for them to have the bottom half of the car park so the trust agreed. Then no sign of the X50 today as was told the gne team who run the X50 "kicked off a fuss about the event so didn't bother running it". So gne talked to them about it asked them to do this and then decide "nah cba" and just didn't bother

Is that why there was occasionally a B7 at the other end of the car park?

I did hear rumours of another incident onboard one of the vehicles where a woman in a wheelchair was left crying. I believe it might have been the JH Trident with it being the only low floor vehicle to go out whilst I was there.

But people aren't wrong, I've heard complaints from other about groups of younguns causing issues like swearing loudly, getting in the way and charging around the place.

I shall however won't be surprised if this end up being the last MetroCentre event.

I stopped popping along to these things a long while ago. I’ve never gone out of my way tbh

I found them a bit…cliquey and unless you knew someone or were in a group the exhibitors were not keen on engaging with you or even allowing you to see the vehicle.

The advertising seemed lacking today, perhaps the lack of GNEs self absorbed PR machine affected things

There was an event?

Hadn't heard a thing. 

But reading the comments, sounds like the local enthusiast community are continuing to self sabotage and implode. 

I'll stick with the comments I've made previously about the groups and the events.

(05 May 2025, 2:21 pm)Rapidsnap wrote But people aren't wrong, I've heard complaints from other about groups of younguns causing issues like swearing loudly, getting in the way and charging around the place.

So why does it keep happening? Why do people continue to enable it?

I've not bothered with a North East event for a couple of years, because like others have pointed out, they're cliquey, but I've seen comments after just about every event complaining about the behaviour of others.

My issue is that it's always passive-aggressive nonsense in response. I keep seeing Facebook posts mentioning 'certain individuals', or shit like no entry signs being plastered everywhere, but no one actually telling the individuals that their behaviour is unacceptable.

If it doesn't happen already, NEBPT should have a feedback process after events to gather feedback from operators and preservationists that attend. Likewise there should be a process to report issues to them on the day, and the marshals should be prepared to deal with that. 

If something doesn't change, they're going to sink North East rallies once and for all. It's already not helping that there's a newer, but now more popular event on in Whitehaven over the same weekend.

Unfortunatley Adrian, these people are probably aware and don't give a fluff about it and will continue to behave this way as they can continue to do so without punishment. As long as their mates think they're cool, they continue to do it regardless of anyone else.

A video from onboard the JH Trident has appeared, and it sounds like they were doing football style chanting and shouting loudly during the journey causing other passengers to feel scared and intimidated, basically like getting on a bus when the schools kick out or when kids from a rough estate go roaming around in a gang causing mischief.

Don't get me wrong, but if I want to ride on a vehicle at a rally, I rather it be a relaxing experience with people relaxing either listening to the classic engine sounds of the vehicle, enjoying the passing scenery or quietly talking to their friends sat next to them.

Yes I’ve seen the said video of the Trident.

Be amazed if JH are thrilled with it being out there, was very much like a match day bus experience and I’m sure drivers get rowdier school crowds but it’s not a great look.

Similar to the popular enthusiast facebook groups focused on the north east, there’s lots of cliquey and at times alarmingly homophobic comments on there. Amazed some haven’t reached their respective employers (though not amazed some of them are stupid enough to post said comments and have their employer in their bio or be in inform…a gross misconduct waiting to happen)

Just sounds like a bunch of virgins being virgins to me. The scene is riddled with them up here, better to stay well clear of them imo.

Someone like they need some bans imo as there's no place for feral kids and promote the events to families which would enjoy this sort of thing - well if they actually bother to advertise it at all. Both don't mix at all. 

The whole thing just sounds a complete mess, good on GoNorthEast for pulling out of this nonsense, sensible management for once. I wouldn't be anywhere near them after the events which led to that decision. In fact I'm surprised the Metrocentre didn't tell them to do one as I wouldn't be having drag racing on my car park, nor would I want to be associated with it either.

No offence to any of the fine folk on here, but I find the stereotypical bus 'enthusiasts' some of the most insufferable people on the planet! They're arrogant, selfish, entitled etc. Why anybody would bring along their pride and joy to one of those events is beyond me.

I'm sure I've said this before, but as a child I went to the Metrocentre show a few times as a family friend had a bus on show, this must have been the best part of 20 years ago, and I'd never felt so uncomfortable in my life. I'm not saying there's a correlation between people who like buses and... you know. But buses definitely weren't the only thing getting pictures taken of, and people definitely got uncomfortably close. Experiences like that is definitely what put me off going to any more, even to this day.

(05 May 2025, 11:34 pm)Rapidsnap wrote Unfortunatley Adrian, these people are probably aware and don't give a fluff about it and will continue to behave this way as they can continue to do so without punishment. As long as their mates think they're cool, they continue to do it regardless of anyone else.

A video from onboard the JH Trident has appeared, and it sounds like they were doing football style chanting and shouting loudly during the journey causing other passengers to feel scared and intimidated, basically like getting on a bus when the schools kick out or when kids from a rough estate go roaming around in a gang causing mischief.

Don't get me wrong, but if I want to ride on a vehicle at a rally, I rather it be a relaxing experience with people relaxing either listening to the classic engine sounds of the vehicle, enjoying the passing scenery or quietly talking to their friends sat next to them.

I genuinely don't think they are. I think 95% of this kind of behaviour tends to happen because there's nobody prepared to tell them otherwise, and as seems to have happened over a couple of years now, they gradually become more and more boisterous. 

Don't get me wrong. I can see why people on a day out don't want to get involved, but this is where NEBPT stewards (and their need for more volunteers) becomes important. I haven't been to any for a couple of years now, but their volunteers appear to be dwindling in numbers and are far too thinly spread.

There's also a responsibility for those bringing buses. I think in the past that some behaviour has been enabled by those who should know better arsing around. Whether it be buses being ran up and down the rally site without a marshal, messing on with vandal alarms/horns, or even the drag-race incident last year. 

I've seen the JH Trident video and I agree, the behaviour in that is absolutely disgraceful and intimidating. I don't know the driver, but I actually felt a bit sorry for them. What really should have happened is the bus should have been pulled over, with them being told to get off. If they don't, then call the police. Again, it's another example of behaviour being enabled by not dealing with it.

I agree on your last point. I think everyone likes different things about a ride out on a vehicle, preserved or otherwise, but I think there's more than enough room for everyone to enjoy it in their own way. Fortunately the most runs I've been on have been like this, including ones we've both been on.

(06 May 2025, 7:04 am)Storx wrote Just sounds like a bunch of virgins being virgins to me. The scene is riddled with them up here, better to stay well clear of them imo.

Someone like they need some bans imo as there's no place for feral kids and promote the events to families which would enjoy this sort of thing - well if they actually bother to advertise it at all. Both don't mix at all. 

The whole thing just sounds a complete mess, good on GoNorthEast for pulling out of this nonsense, sensible management for once. I wouldn't be anywhere near them after the events which led to that decision. In fact I'm surprised the Metrocentre didn't tell them to do one as I wouldn't be having drag racing on my car park, nor would I want to be associated with it either.

I don't think it's helpful to start name calling or stereotyping tbh. 

It's very difficult to ban them from somewhere like the Metrocentre Coach Park, which is essentially a public place, but Seaburn is a bit different with it being a private hire of the event ground. I do think there's other practical steps you can take, such as actively engaging with preservationists and operators alike, so that known troublemakers are well-known to everyone and you can at least prevent them from boarding buses.

Maybe that's the issue though? Not enough engagement with stakeholders.

I actually think it's a shame GNE pulled out, but I completely understand the reasons for it. I think it's a shame to all the young kids who enjoy that aspect of a rally, and on their part, it's a good PR exercise if done correctly. I've always thought they could make more of it, but it's usually been a bit of a free for all. This compared to somewhere like Whitehaven for example, where static exhibits are parked up and they don't move all day. 

(06 May 2025, 8:48 pm)streetdeckfan wrote No offence to any of the fine folk on here, but I find the stereotypical bus 'enthusiasts' some of the most insufferable people on the planet! They're arrogant, selfish, entitled etc. Why anybody would bring along their pride and joy to one of those events is beyond me.

I'm sure I've said this before, but as a child I went to the Metrocentre show a few times as a family friend had a bus on show, this must have been the best part of 20 years ago, and I'd never felt so uncomfortable in my life. I'm not saying there's a correlation between people who like buses and... you know. But buses definitely weren't the only thing getting pictures taken of, and people definitely got uncomfortably close. Experiences like that is definitely what put me off going to any more, even to this day.

That's an extremely serious allegation, I'd hope that your family friend reported those concerns to the Police at the time.

I don't share your experience of rallies. Fair enough, you're always going to get people aren't neurotypical, but I think it's helpful to try and draw parallels that don't exist. Most people I've encountered over the years have been sound, I've had good conversations with people and never had any issues really. I do find they've become a bit cliquey up here, but that is my only criticism.

(04 May 2025, 9:12 pm)MurdnunoC wrote Someone sent me a video of the incident in question.

I left just prior to this incident if you want to call it that which would not of occurred if the "Preservationist" who owns 5217 had not moved the Bus to that position in the first place from the one it was parked in whilst I was there as from my point of view whilst yes it was not positioned with other group vehicles it parked in a nice spot to get decent photos of with nothing parked up alongside it.

The other thing that is missed here is what did the NEBPT Steward say to evoke such a reaction of them leaving.

There did seem to be a lot of kids running riot and as someone who is on the Autism Spectrum I would say those individuals were very likely to be the same or under the umbrella of other Neurodiverse Conditions, while I think it is good these individuals have some degree of personal independence I do think maybe they should've been accompanied by an Adult/Social Worker to keep them in tow and tell them there behaviour is not acceptable. I have seen similar behaviour as described from our counterparts down south at Brooklands Spring Gathering a few weeks back where it seems they just run riot across the event site.

I think the Preservation Groups need to come together along with Bus Operators to come up with a better way of dealing with what has been discussed in previous posts as it cannot continue, think I seen 2 stewards at MetroCentre on Sunday and it was the same two I have seen for number of years who don't have any sense of organisation what so ever, this is meant to be the biggest event of the North East Preservation Calendar and should be promoted and better managed than what it is as it has significantly dwindled in size over the past 10 years with getting smaller as each year passes by with other yearly events such as Durham/Whitley Bay no longer happening and aside from Tyne-Tees Run and Seaburn that is where we are heading with MetroCentre where we will lose it altogether.

(06 May 2025, 9:55 pm)Adrian wrote I genuinely don't think they are. I think 95% of this kind of behaviour tends to happen because there's nobody prepared to tell them otherwise, and as seems to have happened over a couple of years now, they gradually become more and more boisterous. 

Don't get me wrong. I can see why people on a day out don't want to get involved, but this is where NEBPT stewards (and their need for more volunteers) becomes important. I haven't been to any for a couple of years now, but their volunteers appear to be dwindling in numbers and are far too thinly spread.

There's also a responsibility for those bringing buses. I think in the past that some behaviour has been enabled by those who should know better arsing around. Whether it be buses being ran up and down the rally site without a marshal, messing on with vandal alarms/horns, or even the drag-race incident last year. 

I've seen the JH Trident video and I agree, the behaviour in that is absolutely disgraceful and intimidating. I don't know the driver, but I actually felt a bit sorry for them. What really should have happened is the bus should have been pulled over, with them being told to get off. If they don't, then call the police. Again, it's another example of behaviour being enabled by not dealing with it.

I agree on your last point. I think everyone likes different things about a ride out on a vehicle, preserved or otherwise, but I think there's more than enough room for everyone to enjoy it in their own way. Fortunately the most runs I've been on have been like this, including ones we've both been on.


I don't think it's helpful to start name calling or stereotyping tbh. 

It's very difficult to ban them from somewhere like the Metrocentre Coach Park, which is essentially a public place, but Seaburn is a bit different with it being a private hire of the event ground. I do think there's other practical steps you can take, such as actively engaging with preservationists and operators alike, so that known troublemakers are well-known to everyone and you can at least prevent them from boarding buses.

Maybe that's the issue though? Not enough engagement with stakeholders.

I actually think it's a shame GNE pulled out, but I completely understand the reasons for it. I think it's a shame to all the young kids who enjoy that aspect of a rally, and on their part, it's a good PR exercise if done correctly. I've always thought they could make more of it, but it's usually been a bit of a free for all. This compared to somewhere like Whitehaven for example, where static exhibits are parked up and they don't move all day. 


That's an extremely serious allegation, I'd hope that your family friend reported those concerns to the Police at the time.

I don't share your experience of rallies. Fair enough, you're always going to get people aren't neurotypical, but I think it's helpful to try and draw parallels that don't exist. Most people I've encountered over the years have been sound, I've had good conversations with people and never had any issues really. I do find they've become a bit cliquey up here, but that is my only criticism.

Truth be told I just think the event is just seriously outdated and most likely the kids are just bored. 

Like I understand, 'its always been like that,' but a few buses in a car park isn't exactly exciting especially in today's time where people's attention span is much lower, thanks to TikTok and what not. 

imo the whole event needs moved and changed. Like personally if I was doing a bus rally I'd look for a site somewhere like where the Chilli Festival is at Blyth and run a shuttle service using vintage vehicles from Newsham Station and South Beach and then have everything else static.

At the same time I'd expand it and have things like a bouncy castle, some food options, maybe some live entertainment of some sort - possibly provided by the operators. The Arriva robot etc and stuff like that, the football games etc which often happen.

Make it a day out and make your money back from the alternative stuff. It's much more exciting than walking around a car park and would keep the kids entertained while working with your partners and creating a good link between the operators and passengers. If they still misbehave then it's time for them to leave the site.

If the kids are bored, then they shouldn't be there. There's plenty of other places to arse about.

Hobbies like this attract a huge neuro diverse following. Not all people on the spectrum are lively and out of control. I'd say that most are keen to avoid overload and seek to quietly enjoy their hobby, whatever hobby that may be.

That is a serious allegation that you are making, if I understand you correctly, streetdeckfan. If true, then I agree that you should have reported it. If not, then you're a sick individual to make such a suggestion merely to be derogatory towards a group of people you dislike and I have no idea why you are on this forum, which is populated by that group of people.

(07 May 2025, 1:37 pm)BusLoverMum wrote If the kids are bored, then they shouldn't be there. There's plenty of other places to arse about.

Hobbies like this attract a huge neuro diverse following. Not all people on the spectrum are lively and out of control. I'd say that most are keen to avoid overload and seek to quietly enjoy their hobby, whatever hobby that may be.

I get what your saying and don't disagree persay but is there really other places to go? You have to remember these kids / adults are coming from all over the place and there's nothing really around the MetroCentre coach park. 

The MetroCentre certainly isn't a place that they'd be going to imo for the reasons you said. 

Mind I think it's hard to brush it on just kids as it wasn't them having a drag race last year - it seems there's quite a few people making their own entertainment hence the bored comments. 

If people were entertained would be going off on a whim and having drag races etc? 

It's probably a big reason why Seaburn doesn't have the problems as there's a beach, arcades, parks and stuff around to go to, to take a break let's say. It's why the venue imo sucks in 2025 and events like Whitehaven on the same day went without issues.

It's a choice to mess about. It's a choice to behave in a dangerous or intimidating manner.

Walking away is also a choice, which is what we did after rapidly concluding that there wasn't much to see and the weather was dire, anyhow.

Anyhow, I was bored m'lud probably doesn't get you let off in a court of law (though I wouldn't be surprised if the sycamore gap guys had tried that one )

(07 May 2025, 4:32 pm)Storx wrote Mind I think it's hard to brush it on just kids as it wasn't them having a drag race last year - it seems there's quite a few people making their own entertainment hence the bored comments. 

If people were entertained would be going off on a whim and having drag races etc? 

It's probably a big reason why Seaburn doesn't have the problems as there's a beach, arcades, parks and stuff around to go to, to take a break let's say. It's why the venue imo sucks in 2025 and events like Whitehaven on the same day went without issues.

You're right on the first point. It's often kids/young adults that get the most flack, but when I've been to rallies in the North East, I've seen other behaviours which I don't think are right, and I think actually contribute to the problem.

We know there's been a big issue for years about folk letting themselves into buses, when they don't have permission to do so. I have to say, this is a fairly new issue, as I can't recall it happening say 10 years ago? But at the same time, I've seen buses brought to a rally with a whole entourage, which I've then watched running back and forth, letting themselves in and out of the bus, most of the day. 

Whilst obviously they've every right to, I've never thought this sets a good example. I've also seen similar from people bringing a bus from a major operator, then sitting inside with the doors closed with their mates, pissing around in the cab and so on. Again, if you're talking about an impressionable kid, you can see why they'd not think that is wrong when they do it.

What's probably needed here is a reboot, but I'd suggest it needs to be done by engaging all stakeholders. Otherwise we'll come back here talking about the same issues over and over again.

Re people letting themselves onto buses, all the Stagecoach buses had no entry signs on, and the two E200s had the air dumped and bike locks on - don't blame them cos some kid has now posted a TikTok of them helping themselves to 10000 (whilst we were all away), AND its locked cab, with the driver's possessions in.

(07 May 2025, 9:41 pm)Adrian wrote You're right on the first point. It's often kids/young adults that get the most flack, but when I've been to rallies in the North East, I've seen other behaviours which I don't think are right, and I think actually contribute to the problem.

We know there's been a big issue for years about folk letting themselves into buses, when they don't have permission to do so. I have to say, this is a fairly new issue, as I can't recall it happening say 10 years ago? But at the same time, I've seen buses brought to a rally with a whole entourage, which I've then watched running back and forth, letting themselves in and out of the bus, most of the day. 

Whilst obviously they've every right to, I've never thought this sets a good example. I've also seen similar from people bringing a bus from a major operator, then sitting inside with the doors closed with their mates, pissing around in the cab and so on. Again, if you're talking about an impressionable kid, you can see why they'd not think that is wrong when they do it.

What's probably needed here is a reboot, but I'd suggest it needs to be done by engaging all stakeholders. Otherwise we'll come back here talking about the same issues over and over again.

Yeah can't disagree at all. 

Truth be told, the biggest blame needs to be aimed at the organisers really and I know some won't agree there. They're the ones not controlling the event and letting these things happen, and things like a drag race happening under their watch, isn't a minor thing. Seems like the problems have continued aswell. It's just a matter of time before there's a serious incident with someone getting injured or some vehicles behing severely damaged. I know others will say it's not their fault as it's the people there causing the bother, but at the end of the day it's their responsibility to control them especially when there's other members of the public around.

The fact someone has mentioned that there's been kids allover their vehicle because they didn't keep a hawkeye on it, even known there's signs saying no entry, sums it up, especially when their personally belongings are on board. Where's the security?

Personally I'm surprised the event went ahead, at all, as if I was part of the Metrocentre team, they would've been nowhere near my site after last year. 

Agreed with a full reboot needed, and probably some different leadership aswell as much as I'm sure the current lot have their best intentions.