as Kuyoyo said earlier it is in fact true the Wear Tees Express Citaros are to enter service tomorrow i got the same info from a driver but not gonna reveal his name anyways hope everyone is enjoying today

Following on from my near-side rear shot which I shared yesterday - if you would like to see an off-side frontal view of the final Merc to depart Deptford for onward transfer to Peterlee, do click the link below:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielgrahamm/13037153135/

Each vehicle carries a different slogan on the rear, and I'd imagine the slogan on the front will differ too.
The off-side appears to be missing the large Go North East logo on the "black banner". The livery looks lost without it..!

Just been thinking there, howcome there weren't any reserve streetlites bought? Like the red versas and geminis

Just noticed from looking at one of Daniel's pictures uploaded today. The 74 display states "Matfen via Kingston Park", even though the 74 operates via Slatyford and Westerhope, rather than the 74A's route via Kingston Park and the Airport.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielgrahamm/13035824445/

(09 Mar 2014, 4:58 pm)Dan wrote Following on from my near-side rear shot which I shared yesterday - if you would like to see an off-side frontal view of the final Merc to depart Deptford for onward transfer to Peterlee, do click the link below:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielgrahamm/13037153135/

Each vehicle carries a different slogan on the rear, and I'd imagine the slogan on the front will differ too.
The off-side appears to be missing the large Go North East logo on the "black banner". The livery looks lost without it..!

Any idea's what each slogan says?

(09 Mar 2014, 5:06 pm)Michael wrote Any idea's what each slogan says?

5333 rear:
"Peterlee to Sunderland in only 30 minutes"

5334 rear:
"Peterlee to Middlesbrough in only 50 minutes"

5334 front window:
"Weekly tickets from £11.40"

I'd expect one of the rears to be about Sunderland to Middlesbrough every hour, but I'm not sure what the other one could be.

(09 Mar 2014, 5:10 pm)Dan wrote 5333 rear:
"Peterlee to Sunderland in only 30 minutes"

5334 rear:
"Peterlee to Middlesbrough in only 50 minutes"

5334 front window:
"Weekly tickets from £11.40"

I'd expect one of the rears to be about Sunderland to Middlesbrough every hour, but I'm not sure what the other one could be.

Thanks =D, for one of them i would say your probables right with Sunderland to Middlesbrough every hour.

I love the new livery for WearTees Xpress. Think it suits the Citaro well, I think the 'X' looks alright I do agree as a general rule of thumb I don't like obscuring widows with branding (aka Prince Bishops etc.) but I can't wait to have these on the service will be a welcome change from 4907!
I hope this goes well for the service and passenger number goes up. I'd love to see a possible evening extension and even a Sunday service. But we'll take it one step at a time!

(09 Mar 2014, 5:52 pm)CatsFast101 wrote I hope this goes well for the service and passenger number goes up. I'd love to see a possible evening extension and even a Sunday service. But we'll take it one step at a time!

Me too, would like to see it run later and on a Sunday


I think it suits the citaro really well

(09 Mar 2014, 5:52 pm)CatsFast101 wrote I love the new livery for WearTees Xpress. Think it suits the Citaro well, I think the 'X' looks alright I do agree as a general rule of thumb I don't like obscuring widows with branding (aka Prince Bishops etc.) but I can't wait to have these on the service will be a welcome change from 4907!
I hope this goes well for the service and passenger number goes up. I'd love to see a possible evening extension and even a Sunday service. But we'll take it one step at a time!

I'd say the X is perforated vinyl over the glass. Shouldn't obscure passengers views, but we'll have to wait and see I guess!

(09 Mar 2014, 8:07 pm)aureolin wrote I'd say the X is perforated vinyl over the glass. Shouldn't obscure passengers views, but we'll have to wait and see I guess!

You are right as confirmed in Dans photo of 5333 it was said that was why the gold seems to be different.

(09 Mar 2014, 8:27 pm)Robert wrote You are right as confirmed in Dans photo of 5333 it was said that was why the gold seems to be different.

Wouldn't say it was confirmed! I just made the same speculative guess on Flickr as I did here. :p

(09 Mar 2014, 8:31 pm)aureolin wrote Wouldn't say it was confirmed! I just made the same speculative guess on Flickr as I did here. :p

That was on the photo of 5334, rather than the photo of 5333 which Robert is referring to.
It still wasn't 'confirmed', but you can see straight through the vinyl on that photo - which makes you think it is contravision.

Conversation on photograph of 5333:

danielgrahamm 26 hours ago
I'm not sure, but is it possible that these vinyls could be a similar type to the ones Stagecoach use on windows? Passengers can still see through those, and that's why they may appear to be different shades of gold. That, or it's simply down to the different surfaces which the vinyls have been applied to - but I have no idea!

BusPicsGuy 26 hours ago
I know passengers can still see out the windows that are covered because if you look closely you can still see the seats and the fence on the other side. Still not too keen on that though and spoils the livery a lot, therefore as I said, I wont be excited to see these out and about.

danielgrahamm 26 hours ago
That's what made me think the vinyls on the windows were perhaps similar to the ones Stagecoach use... Honestly don't know though, but I guess we'll find out next week if we have a ride of them whilst in service!

tvtphotos 25 hours ago
Think you're looking for contravision Dan! That's what it'll be and why it appears to be a different shade of gold. You'll always get that without using full solid vinyl.

danielgrahamm 25 hours ago
That's the name I was looking for!

(09 Mar 2014, 8:35 pm)Dan wrote That was on the photo of 5334, rather than the photo of 5333 which Robert is referring to.
It still wasn't 'confirmed', but you can see straight through the vinyl on that photo - which makes you think it is contravision.

Conversation on photograph of 5333:

Yes but either way it is quite obvious that its contravision because if it wasn't you wouldn't be able to see straight through the other side. For example:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/95597126@N05/13037739693/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielgrahamm/13014384655/

When you look at the vinyls on the windows you can clearly see that the solo isn't contravision as you cant see through and the shade of the vinyl doesn't look like its changed whereas the shade on the Citaro looks to have changed and you can see the fence on the other side when looking straight at the vinyl. Sorry for being like this but that seems to obvious to me that it is contravision.

5334 is performing the first X7 of the day from Sunderland (0726am, and the 1038, 1338 and 1643 after that)

5336 will perform the second X7 of the day from Sunderland (0836, and the 1138, 1438 and the 1743 after that)

5335 will perform the third X7 of the day from Sunderland (0938, and the 1238, 1538 and 1857 after that).

5333 is based at Peterlee to act as a backup.

(10 Mar 2014, 7:33 am)Dan wrote 5334 is performing the first X7 of the day from Sunderland (0726am, and the 1038, 1338 and 1643 after that)

5336 will perform the second X7 of the day from Sunderland (0836, and the 1138, 1438 and the 1743 after that)

5335 will perform the third X7 of the day from Sunderland (0938, and the 1238, 1538 and 1857 after that).

5333 is based at Peterlee to act as a backup.

So the spare will now be at Peterlee full time? As opposed to when Deptford kept one branded vehicle. It makes sense having it at Peterlee in Case it's necessary to replace a vehicle at Middlesbrough etc. wonder if we'll see 5333 or any other Mercs on East Durham services when an MPD seemingly fails!

(10 Mar 2014, 7:45 am)CatsFast101 wrote So the spare will now be at Peterlee full time? As opposed to when Deptford kept one branded vehicle. It makes sense having it at Peterlee in Case it's necessary to replace a vehicle at Middlesbrough etc. wonder if we'll see 5333 or any other Mercs on East Durham services when an MPD seemingly fails!

I doubt it. I think it'll only be for the first week or so to ensure that there aren't any problems - similar to what happened with the Volvo B10BLEs when they first entered service.
It's better for engineering purposes to have the spare at Deptford, and no doubt there will be other reasons too...

(10 Mar 2014, 7:33 am)Dan wrote 5334 is performing the first X7 of the day from Sunderland (0726am, and the 1038, 1338 and 1643 after that)

5336 will perform the second X7 of the day from Sunderland (0836, and the 1138, 1438 and the 1743 after that)

5335 will perform the third X7 of the day from Sunderland (0938, and the 1238, 1538 and 1857 after that).

5333 is based at Peterlee to act as a backup.

(10 Mar 2014, 7:57 am)Dan wrote

Just seen the 8:36am one, looks smart on the citaro

3963 has just replaced an extremely late running 6046 on the 1000 X10.

Percy Main vehicles continue to be cascaded to other depots following delivery of new Geminis with Citaros 5335 transferring to Peterlee for Wear Tees Express and 5337 transferring to Stanley. Omnicity 5256 is the last such vehicle to be transferred to Chester le Street for WheyAye 50.

Volvo B10BLE 4845: R845 PRG has been transferred from Deptford to Stanley, Volvo B12B 7090: CU6860 is now in the Driver Training fleet and SPD 8220: V220 ERG is withdrawn.

Olympian 3811: S811 FVK has been sold to Ensign Bus Co.

(10 Mar 2014, 12:24 pm)Bazza Houston wrote Percy Main vehicles continue to be cascaded to other depots following delivery of new Geminis with Citaros 5335 transferring to Peterlee for Wear Tees Express and 5337 transferring to Stanley. Omnicity 5256 is the last such vehicle to be transferred to Chester le Street for WheyAye 50.

Volvo B10BLE 4845: R845 PRG has been transferred from Deptford to Stanley, Volvo B12B 7090: CU6860 is now in the Driver Training fleet and SPD 8220: V220 ERG is withdrawn.

Olympian 3811: S811 FVK has been sold to Ensign Bus Co.

In reality, 4845 is back at Deptford as we all know and I believe I saw it on 39s earlier.

Praise the Lord... 8220 withdrawn... Only a month and a half after it actually happened...!

(10 Mar 2014, 12:58 pm)Dan wrote In reality, 4845 is back at Deptford as we all know and I believe I saw it on 39s earlier.

Praise the Lord... 8220 withdrawn... Only a month and a half after it actually happened...!

4845 is indeed on 39's today, can also confirm that the the new Wear Tees Xpress livery means the 'X' is perforated over the windows so you can see out of windows.

(10 Mar 2014, 12:58 pm)Dan wrote In reality, 4845 is back at Deptford as we all know and I believe I saw it on 39s earlier.

Praise the Lord... 8220 withdrawn... Only a month and a half after it actually happened...!

Also, they must of got your email as all the mistakes have finally been corrected

Also might as well mention that Olympian 3813 has developed a bit of a stalling problem whilst working service 825 to Stanley.

(10 Mar 2014, 4:08 pm)Robert wrote Also, they must of got your email as all the mistakes have finally been corrected

Didn't get a reply, but he must have reluctantly corrected them to prevent further e-mails being sent.

EDIT: I did in fact get a reply today saying that the list was very helpful and much appreciated - hence corrected in today's update.

Currently on 5334 on my way back from Sunderland on the X7, and so far it's proving to be a far superior ride than the B10BLEs were, although the real test comes on the A19.

(10 Mar 2014, 3:37 pm)CatsFast101 wrote 4845 is indeed on 39's today, can also confirm that the the new Wear Tees Xpress livery means the 'X' is perforated over the windows so you can see out of windows.

Not a great photo to demonstrate it, but nevertheless...

5334 has had its interior branding removed (leaving behind some grubby marks) but retains a poster advertising the new buses for Cobalt Clipper.

Timetables have been stacked on it too, but inevitably display a B10.

546 seen at Peterlee today still has Venture branding at rear of offside

Got that GNE book through the post today, Tale of a centenary

Can't even remember asking them for one!

The mysterious Omni which has been parked in Picktree Lane depot for the last week - was either out tonight when I passed or it had been moved.