(31 Jul 2025, 1:20 am)Glen1974 wrote How many E300 left at Stockton depot now?

go have a look ?

Sounds as though Slatyford may only be getting 6 Yutongs as the main chargers aren’t being done until the franchising is sorted. They have some mobile chargers installed to charge the ones they get and they will be on boards that run in early. Be interesting to see how long it will be before they get the remaining 12 from the batch of 18.

(02 Aug 2025, 4:28 pm)bob22222 wrote go have a look ?

That'll be the next question he asks 900 times

(02 Aug 2025, 8:29 pm)ReDemPTiion wrote Sounds as though Slatyford may only be getting 6 Yutongs as the main chargers aren’t being done until the franchising is sorted. They have some mobile chargers installed to charge the ones they get and they will be on boards that run in early. Be interesting to see how long it will be before they get the remaining 12 from the batch of 18.

The temporary chargers really aren’t great - can take upto 10 hours to charge a bus that goes up and down depending on how many are on charge! When we had 3 portable chargers at Stockton and expected to charge a number of yutongs it was horrendous! Buses going out with 50% charge etc just to make service

Teessider2014
The temporary chargers really aren’t great - can take upto 10 hours to charge a bus that goes up and down depending on how many are on charge! When we had 3 portable chargers at Stockton and expected to charge a number of yutongs it was horrendous! Buses going out with 50% charge etc just to make service

if it’s not possible to install proper chargers at Slatyford but more likely at Walkergate doesn’t it make more common sense to swap a route with Walkergate that covers the PVR and staff of the 30/31/36 roster. The 37/38/12 not to mention 62/63 all fit that criteria finishing as close to Slatyford as 30/31/36 change overs could easily be done as close to depot as possible.

(03 Aug 2025, 11:29 am)Coastliner700 wrote Teessider2014
The temporary chargers really aren’t great - can take upto 10 hours to charge a bus that goes up and down depending on how many are on charge! When we had 3 portable chargers at Stockton and expected to charge a number of yutongs it was horrendous! Buses going out with 50% charge etc just to make service

if it’s not possible to install proper chargers at Slatyford but more likely at Walkergate doesn’t it make more common sense to swap a route with Walkergate that covers the PVR and staff of the 30/31/36 roster. The 37/38/12 not to mention 62/63 all fit that criteria finishing as close to Slatyford as 30/31/36 change overs could easily be done as close to depot as possible.

Pretty sure the roster of the 1 is split between Walkergate and Slatyford so you could send the full roster for this over to Slatyford with the 30/31/36 going in the opposite direction.

Don't see any issues with installing chargers at Walkergate.

(03 Aug 2025, 2:15 pm)Malarkey wrote Pretty sure the roster of the 1 is split between Walkergate and Slatyford so you could send the full roster for this over to Slatyford with the 30/31/36 going in the opposite direction.

Don't see any issues with installing chargers at Walkergate.

You're thinking of the 62 and 63. Walker only do a handful of boards.

I’m lead to believe that 19387 and 19437 are to transfer from Sunderland to South Sheilds in a few weeks for Scholars in replacement a few 27xxx are to go to Sunderland but would need to be Euro 6 so they could be used on the x24 from September when the 19xxx go back onto scholars and the 28xxx now on borrowed time.

(03 Aug 2025, 3:58 pm)Theboyle92 wrote I’m lead to believe that 19387 and 19437 are to transfer from Sunderland to South Sheilds in a few weeks for Scholars in replacement a few 27xxx are to go to Sunderland but would need to be Euro 6 so they could be used on the x24 from September when the 19xxx go back onto scholars and the 28xxx now on borrowed time.

The X24 is desperate for some decent buses. Can’t tell you how many times in the past few months been stood in Newcastle after finishing work for it to be either cancelled or break down in Newcastle.

(03 Aug 2025, 6:00 pm)Ian1254 wrote The X24 is desperate for some decent buses. Can’t tell you how many times in the past few months been stood in Newcastle after finishing work for it to be either cancelled or break down in Newcastle.

As a driver on the x24 i can only apologise, but completely agree with you i had the pleasure of having 11607 the other month one of the 73 plate 400MMCs to cover a few runs on the x24 and from a driver’s perspective was brilliant, never struggled on hills nice and smooth very little rattles, even the passengers i picked up were impressed, hopefully new buses are inbound rather than old hand-me-downs.

(03 Aug 2025, 6:06 pm)Theboyle92 wrote As a driver on the x24 i can only apologise, but completely agree with you i had the pleasure of having 11607 the other month one of the 73 plate 400MMCs to cover a few runs on the x24 and from a driver’s perspective was brilliant, never struggled on hills nice and smooth very little rattles, even the passengers i picked up were impressed, hopefully new buses are inbound rather than old hand-me-downs.

I do feel bad for the drivers sometimes especially when metro and a19 go down. Few weeks ago we broke down in Newcastle on 19444 with water/coolant pouring out the back. It took at least an hour for engineers from walkergate to come out with another bus. 95% of the passengers had enough and went for the metro and the rest were Hastings Hill/Grindon passengers. It was amusing seeing the driver spend at least 10 minutes trying to figure how to start and move the bus but I’m guessing he wasn’t used to the stop start.

Why did the EV’s get taken off? They were certainly better and more reliable than the gas buses and deckers?

(03 Aug 2025, 7:34 pm)Ian1254 wrote I do feel bad for the drivers sometimes especially when metro and a19 go down. Few weeks ago we broke down in Newcastle on 19444 with water/coolant pouring out the back. It took at least an hour for engineers from walkergate to come out with another bus. 95% of the passengers had enough and went for the metro and the rest were Hastings Hill/Grindon passengers. It was amusing seeing the driver spend at least 10 minutes trying to figure how to start and move the bus but I’m guessing he wasn’t used to the stop start.

Why did the EV’s get taken off? They were certainly better and more reliable than the gas buses and deckers?

The EVs were taken off as they were having issues the following day with the batteries being abused up and down the A19, dont know the full ins and outs but thats what we have been told, the drivers dont mind having deckers on if they are the ones that can do 56mph which are 19437 and 19387 (typical the ones being transferred) the other deckers , 440/444/641 and 642 are all limited to 50mph ish, be surprised how much a difference 6mph can make when you’re running late. As for the gas buses theres one or two that are brilliant for the X24s and run perfectly without issues , but with the 6 weeks and metros famous reliability issues the powers that be have decided to stick deckers on to cope with demand incase ticket acceptance is required.

(03 Aug 2025, 3:13 pm)F114TML wrote You're thinking of the 62 and 63. Walker only do a handful of boards.

What im suggesting is swap a route with equivalent PVR to Slatyford and allow the 30/31/36 from Walkergate with the electrics. Routes have been exchanged before so can’t see why this needs not to be a consideration. 37/38 has simlilar PvR swap that to Slatyford and 30/31/36 to Walkergate !

(03 Aug 2025, 8:30 pm)Coastliner700 wrote What im suggesting is swap a route with equivalent PVR to Slatyford and allow the 30/31/36 from Walkergate with the electrics. Routes have been exchanged before so can’t see why this needs not to be a consideration. 37/38 has simlilar PvR swap that to Slatyford and 30/31/36 to Walkergate !

imo you'd be better doing what happened in Teesside and just send them to Sunderland instead with some route in the Newcastle area upgraded with some Diesels. The 62/63 being the obvious choice, with most those deckers going to other depots to replace other buses. Walkergate being an obvious choice in return for some singles to see off the MAN's or the X24 at Sunderland either if you fancied upgrading that to double decker permanently which would see off a few gas buses instead.

(03 Aug 2025, 6:00 pm)Ian1254 wrote Isn’t the x24 regularly allocated a brand new Yutong? 

I travel quite regularly on the x24 and very rarely are the electric vehicles on it.  It's either gas buses or double deckers at weekends and during school holidays.

(03 Aug 2025, 3:58 pm)Theboyle92 wrote I’m lead to believe that 19387 and 19437 are to transfer from Sunderland to South Sheilds in a few weeks for Scholars in replacement a few 27xxx are to go to Sunderland but would need to be Euro 6 so they could be used on the x24 from September when the 19xxx go back onto scholars and the 28xxx now on borrowed time.

19437 and 19438 both at Shields on X34 today

(04 Aug 2025, 2:57 pm)LVK 404L wrote 19437 and 19438 both at Shields on X34 today

With 36962/4 tracking at Sunderland today

73176 at Stockton awaiting entry into service

Saw Stockton's 22341 in Norton around 11am.  Hazard lights on NIS outside the Highland Laddie. Two lads who were with the bus trying to open engine cover.

is the northeast getting any scotland buses from Dumfries as there depot shut down yesterday

(07 Aug 2025, 5:52 am)bob22222 wrote is the northeast getting any scotland buses from Dumfries as there depot shut down yesterday

What buses did they have? Would have to be quite modern Euro 6 to go to Newcastle

(07 Aug 2025, 4:43 pm)ReDemPTiion wrote What buses did they have? Would have to be quite modern Euro 6 to go to Newcastle

they've got mmc a few scania e400 normal e400

Dumfries didn't have any MMCs. They had 5 ADL E300s, 6 Scania E300s, 8 ADL E200s, 5 Solos (3 Council owned) and 6 coaches. All of the ADLs and the 2 Stagecoach owned Solos are known to be going to South West, the coaches are retained for X74 operating from Cumbernauld (with Dumfries as an outstation).

Stranraer was last listed as having 3 MAN E300s, 1 Scania E300, 4 ADL E200s, 6 Solos (2 council owned) and 9 coaches. Some E200s and some Solos are also off to South West. The Scania E300 is staying outstationed at Stranraer (has been joined by at least 1 from Dumfries).

I've yet to see or hear of any other publicly confirmed changes/allocations.

(07 Aug 2025, 4:55 pm)bob22222 wrote they've got mmc a few scania e400 normal e400

Could work for Hartlepool, South Shields and Sunderland depots, maybe a few as reserve for Stockton as well in case needed in emergencies.

(07 Aug 2025, 9:16 pm)cainebj wrote Dumfries didn't have any MMCs. They had 5 ADL E300s, 6 Scania E300s, 8 ADL E200s, 5 Solos (3 Council owned) and 6 coaches. All of the ADLs and the 2 Stagecoach owned Solos are known to be going to South West, the coaches are retained for X74 operating from Cumbernauld (with Dumfries as an outstation).

Stranraer was last listed as having 3 MAN E300s, 1 Scania E300, 4 ADL E200s, 6 Solos (2 council owned) and 9 coaches. Some E200s and some Solos are also off to South West. The Scania E300 is staying outstationed at Stranraer (has been joined by at least 1 from Dumfries).

I've yet to see or hear of any other publicly confirmed changes/allocations.

Assume the OP was getting confused with the ones at Carlisle maybe which sometimes do the 79?

73060 has recieved an all over advert for £2.50 bus fares. Each side of the vehicle is different.
Offside and Front - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...4708517501
Nearside and Rear - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...4708722128

I have just passed 11292 in Cowgate - Not in service but it had "I AM A BUS" on the destination LED with a Double Decker next to it...

Got a few laughs on the 71 I'm on

(07 Aug 2025, 5:52 am)bob22222 wrote is the northeast getting any scotland buses from Dumfries as there depot shut down yesterday

Of the vehicles allocated to Dumfries and Stranraer depots on the final day of operation:

• The Plaxton Elite I-bodied Volvo B11RTs are now officially allocated to Glasgow Cumbernauld depot to operate the X74 (Glasgow to Dumfries) - however, Dumfries depot remains open as an outstation for a handful of these turns which start and end at the Dumfries end. Likewise, one Scania K230UB/ADL E300 is now outstationed at Stranraer depot from Ayr depot for use on the 58/358 (Ayr to Stranraer)
  
• Caetano Levante-bodied Volvo B9Rs 53732/3/6/8 have transferred to Stagecoach North Scotland (Bluebird Buses Ltd) at Inverness, joining sisters 53731/4 there. 53735 remains with West Scotland as a training vehicle
  
• E300s 27813-6/885 plus E200s 36140/1/3/4/7/52 36332 36704/5/45 and 37247/8 are transferring to Stagecoach South West (alongside E400MMCs 10917 from Ayr, 10918/9 from Cumbernauld and 10921-4/6/7 from Ardrossan) due to the major PVR increase there with the award of school contracts in Cornwall. Solo SRs 47839-41/44-6 are also transferring
  
• As yet, new homes for Volvo B9R/Plaxton Elite 53709-13, MAN E300 24189-91 and Scania E300s 28665/70/703/5 are unknown
  
• The D&G-owned Solos will have moved to other operators
  

Seems 19437 and 19438 have gonw back to Sunderland. 36962 appears to have gone back to Shieldsz 36964 will prob follow.

I thought Shields were getting the extra 2 deckers for additional scholars runs?