With Coaster Streetlites Reallocations I'd say x4 5451-5454 to Hexham replacing 5377-5380 on the 680/684/688.Then 5470-5480 all move to Washington replacing Citaros 5358-61/5363-68 which would be Withdrawn.

5460 is the last remaining Coaster that would be painted into Corporate Livery and remain at Percy Main. 5461-62 move from Washington to Percy Main meaning all 66 Plates are at Percy Main and all 17 Plates are at Washington rather than mixed as they are now.

I think the B5TL's could end up at Washington and be allocated to the 50 releasing 6301-07 to go to Consett to be allocated to the 47 releasing the B9's into replacing the Voyager B9's/x2 Ex London E400's they have regularly on the X5/X15 and Scholars.

You then have E200MMC's 5488/5491 & 5498 which will be released once the Electrics enter service on the X66, do you send them to Consett to be with the rest of the allocation there to help ease shortages of X-Lines E400MMC's as they seem to having issues at the moment, I have often seen Ex London B9's/E400's on the 47/X45 in particular.

(08 Oct 2025, 7:16 pm)Malarkey wrote I think the B5TL's could end up at Washington and be allocated to the 50 releasing 6301-07 to go to Consett to be allocated to the 47 releasing the B9's into  replacing the Voyager B9's/x2 Ex London E400's they have regularly on the X5/X15 and Scholars.

The ex TyneTeesXpress B9TLs (6043-48) are prpbably more capable than 6301-07 handling the 47, despite them being hammered up and down the A19 for 5 years then ragged along the Tyne Valley whilst still having to deputise for gutless B5TLs!

The B5TLs need either shipped out of the NE in exchange for something (i.e 7x EY 15 plate B9TLs - which would be fine on the X5/X15/16/16A).......or put on an easy route such as the 307

The white elephant in the room, which doesn't help as highlighted is the X30/X70 interworking patterns and a high dependency on the E400MMCs. This has only become an issue since the requirement was increased from 8x to 12x vehicles!

6972 currently parked at Hownsgill, looks like its seeing service on the school runs. 

Meanwhile 3 Solos are out on frontline services operating XLines routes, 16 & 78. 

Riverside appear to have also withdrawn 6946 & 6957 

Whilst Voyager 6182 hasn't seen service since August according to bus times.

I was on 6952 and it was pretty impressive for ex London. Good performance on the 10. Better than those Optare Dennis Tridents. Those London Enviro 400 vary massively in quality and performance.

(04 Oct 2025, 11:14 pm)L469 YVK wrote It's a shame that the 21 StreetDecks are to replace the Coaster StreetLites....as both the Cobalt & Fab 56 B9TLs would sort Consett's decker issues including the ex-X9/X10 B9TLs on the 47.

IMO......the StreetDecks should go on the 307/309, they'll be suited to pottering around Mullen Road, Battle Hill Drive, Addington Drive, Norham Road and Meadowell as opposed to Bensham Bank, Lobley Hill and around Whickham. The B9TLs will give as good service on the 301 as the B/C reg Leyland Olympians did back in the day!

Are the B9TLs due to be replaced on the 56? I know they’re around 12 years old (ish?) but I think they’re well suited aren’t they?

(10 Oct 2025, 3:56 pm)MinorBusMan wrote Are the B9TLs due to be replaced on the 56? I know they’re around 12 years old (ish?) but I think they’re well suited aren’t they?

Apparently GNE have got E400MMC's on order for the 56, no idea when they're arriving though.

(10 Oct 2025, 4:01 pm)Michael wrote Apparently GNE have got E400MMC's on order for the 56, no idea when they're arriving though.

 
Oh really, are they planning on keeping the city rider branding as part of the route. It looks smarter than the previous but I’ll always see it as the Fab 56. 

I wonder if they’ll be diesel or electric, it’s frowned upon in 2025 to order diesel in 2025 isn’t it ha 

(10 Oct 2025, 5:52 pm)MinorBusMan wrote  
Oh really, are they planning on keeping the city rider branding as part of the route. It looks smarter than the previous but I’ll always see it as the Fab 56. 

I wonder if they’ll be diesel or electric, it’s frowned upon in 2025 to order diesel in 2025 isn’t it ha 

I hope they do keep the brand but update it.


They'll be diesel as Deptford don't have the electric chargers, the only way the 56 would become electric would be if they moved the 56 to Riverside but doubt they'll move the route.

(10 Oct 2025, 6:04 pm)Michael wrote I hope they do keep the brand but update it.


They'll be diesel as Deptford don't have the electric chargers, the only way the 56 would become electric would be if they moved the 56 to Riverside but doubt they'll move the route.

I think that given Deptford was opened in 1998, it would at least have the capacity to get the infrastructure added.

(10 Oct 2025, 6:56 pm)L469 YVK wrote I think that given Deptford was opened in 1998, it would at least have the capacity to get the infrastructure added.

100% but I don't think they'll install them at Deptford yet, I think they'll want t change Riverside first.

There is suggestions the E400MMC's that are believed to be ordered, no confirmation, are actually for the X1 with the 56 getting the streetdecks from the X1 with the 56 getting new buses on a future order, maybe 2027/28 but its all hear say at the moment, only time will tell

(10 Oct 2025, 4:01 pm)Michael wrote Apparently GNE have got E400MMC's on order for the 56, no idea when they're arriving though.

There are no E400MMC's on order

Is it Streetdecks coming? Maybe Cummins 6.7l version?

(10 Oct 2025, 8:19 pm)Liam Hall wrote There are no E400MMC's on order

Shame that.

Oh well it’s nice to hear they won’t be going electric yet. Yeah electric may definitely have its positives however sitting on what sounds like a whisk on low isn’t the same as a diesel.

If E400s were going on the 56 it’d be quite the change. GNEs long preferred Wrights. Suppose time will tell what it gets

So do GNE have any standard diesel deckers on order?

Volvo B7TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 3965 was seen outside Alphas Scrapyard awaiting its final demise.

(10 Oct 2025, 8:22 pm)Arriva7446 wrote Is it Streetdecks coming? Maybe Cummins 6.7l version?

Unless GNE are taking this option with future EV conversion on offer from WrightBus?

And or WrightBus is offering Go-Ahead a substantial discount on the Cummins engined Ultroliners to compensate for the troubles with the earlier StreetDecks

Alpha recovery taking back one of the Xlines Enviros to Hownsgill 

couldn't see the fleet number but looking on bus times it was more than likely 6350 or 6351 with both seemingly not finishing the day on there intended boards.

Seem to really struggle keeping these on the road.

6994 & 6995 making an appearance on this fine morning.

6189 has been withdrawn.

(12 Oct 2025, 6:09 pm)WestDurhamSwift wrote Alpha recovery taking back one of the Xlines Enviros to Hownsgill 

couldn't see the fleet number but looking on bus times it was more than likely 6350 or 6351 with both seemingly not finishing the day on there intended boards.

Seem to really struggle keeping these on the road.

Issue is with the lack of spares and not the vehicles themselves.

Given that the PVR of the X30s/X70s and X45 is 17 combined, the 16 E400MMC at Consett are having to cover a PVR of 17.

Need I say more. Arriva Ashington are suffering the same issues due to lack of spares

Just passed 6240 broken down at Annfield Plain, with Northstars 301 down from it also seemily suffering a similar fate

(24 Oct 2025, 9:15 am)WestDurhamSwift wrote Just passed 6240 broken down at Annfield Plain, with Northstars 301 down from it also seemily suffering a similar fate

Broken wire on 301, repaired and away!

(24 Oct 2025, 11:00 am)Dan wrote Broken wire on 301, repaired and away!

Saw the post and was fearing the worst! 
Had a sinking feeling the wing mirror curse had struck North star.

X1's were terminating at Gateshead Interchange yesterday afternoon around 3pm.

(02 Nov 2025, 2:31 pm)Malarkey wrote X1's were terminating at Gateshead Interchange  yesterday afternoon around 3pm.

i saw one at Wreckenton about 1pm yesterday - destination was gateshead and was also flashing up on diversion

The Streetdecks are the 6.7L 7 speed Voith models.I’m not sure on how many but they are going to Washington for the X1. Painted in the corporate red and blue livery.

Double Decker expired outside of Palmersville Metro, looks to have totalled the Bus Stop, genuinely hope nobody was hurt

(19 Nov 2025, 11:14 am)V514DFT wrote Double Decker expired outside of Palmersville Metro, looks to have totalled the Bus Stop, genuinely hope nobody was hurt

There is now an article about this. Sounds like a lucky escape

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nor...o-32908025