(11 May 2014, 6:51 pm)Marcus wrote I used to get MPDs, SPDs and various other bodies on a Dart chassis, but haven't seen them so much recently. I've mainly seen Olympians and ALX400s in the past few weeks.

OLYMPIANS!!!! You must be mistaken because Durham have not had any Olympains for years. The last Olympian in the ANE fleet, 7367, was withdrawn around 18th April this year and this was based at Ashington (it should have been withdrawn in 2013 but was resurrected due to 7510 burning to the ground.) Other than 7367, Olympians have been extinct with ANE since around October 2013 and extinct from Durham years before that. You must have seen an ALX400 or a Lowlander as these are the only types of double-deckers Durham have.

(11 May 2014, 7:12 pm)Marcus wrote Sorry, I meant those Mylleniums, I have seen Olympians on the 64 before though.

Not even East Lancs Mylleniums! I think you'll find they're Lowlanders! Mylleniums are single-deck, Lowlanders double-deck. There are no Mylleniums with ANE, only Lowlanders.

(11 May 2014, 7:12 pm)peter wrote OLYMPIANS!!!! You must be mistaken because Durham have not had any Olympains for years. The last Olympian in the ANE fleet, 7367, was withdrawn around 18th April this year and this was based at Ashington (it should have been withdrawn but was resurrected due to 7510 burning to the ground.) Other than 7367 Olympians have been extinct with ANE since around October 2013 and extinct from Durham years before that. You must have seen an ALX400 or a Lowlander as these are the only types of double-deckers Durham have.

I'm sure I've seen Palatine 2s on the 64 before in the past. Then again, I could be mistaken.

(11 May 2014, 7:13 pm)peter wrote Not even East Lancs Mylleniums! They're Lowlanders!

East Lancs Myllenium Lowlanders is their official title - although there is no East Lancs Lowlanders anyway as all were built to the Myllenium styling.

(11 May 2014, 7:13 pm)peter wrote Not even East Lancs Mylleniums! They're Lowlanders!

That's right, I knew they were made by East Lancs.

(11 May 2014, 7:15 pm)Kuyoyo wrote East Lancs Myllenium Lowlanders is their official title - although there is no East Lancs Lowlanders anyway as all were built to the Myllenium styling.

Although what you say above is true (and I am well aware of it) we generally just refer to them as Lowlanders as it takes effort to type out East Lancs Myllenium Lowlanders. Considering that Marcus was clearly not very familair with the whole naming of Lowlanders and Mylleniums I decided not to go fully into the whole names and tried to simplify it a bit (by stating double-decks = Lowlanders, single-decks = Mylleniums without including the fact that technically they are both Mylleniums - but the double-decks are also have Lowlander added on the end). To clear things up:

Single-decks=East Lancs Mylleniums
Double-decks East Lancs Mylleniums Lowlanders

4510 could do with a refurb. You can smell it well before it gets to your bus stop. Not nice to travel on!

(11 May 2014, 9:01 pm)Shrek wrote 4510 could do with a refurb. You can smell it well before it gets to your bus stop. Not nice to travel on!

I had it on the way to Cramlington a few months ago and it smelt of sick.

On VOSA today:



PB0002032/168 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP

Variation Accepted: Operating between Morpeth and Newbiggin given service number 35/35A effective from 06-Jul-2014. To amend Route and Timetable.


3. PB0002032/276 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP

Variation Accepted: Operating between Newbiggin Ind Stores and Longbenton DSS given service number 494 effective from 06-Jul-2014. To amend Timetable.


4. PB0002032/370 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP

Variation Accepted: Operating between Ashington and Bedlington Station given service number 34 effective from 06-Jul-2014. To amend Route and Timetable.


5. PB0002032/379 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP

Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Linton and Newbiggin given service number 30/30A effective from 06-Jul-2014.


6. PB0002032/424 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP

Variation Accepted: Operating between Ashington and Amble given service number 20 effective from 06-Jul-2014. To amend Timetable.


7. PB0002032/447 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP

Variation Accepted: Operating between Newcastle and Belford given service number X16 effective from 06-Jul-2014. To amend Timetable.


8. PB0002032/475 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP

Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Ashington
Finish Point: Bedlington Station
Via:
Service Number: 821
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 06-JUL-2014
Other Details: New School service

1309 has finally moved to Darlington depot and is operating on Service 8/8A today.

(12 May 2014, 1:23 pm)cbma06 wrote On VOSA today:



PB0002032/168 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP

Variation Accepted: Operating between Morpeth and Newbiggin given service number 35/35A effective from 06-Jul-2014. To amend Route and Timetable.


3. PB0002032/276 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP

Variation Accepted: Operating between Newbiggin Ind Stores and Longbenton DSS given service number 494 effective from 06-Jul-2014. To amend Timetable.


4. PB0002032/370 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP

Variation Accepted: Operating between Ashington and Bedlington Station given service number 34 effective from 06-Jul-2014. To amend Route and Timetable.


5. PB0002032/379 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP

Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Linton and Newbiggin given service number 30/30A effective from 06-Jul-2014.


6. PB0002032/424 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP

Variation Accepted: Operating between Ashington and Amble given service number 20 effective from 06-Jul-2014. To amend Timetable.


7. PB0002032/447 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP

Variation Accepted: Operating between Newcastle and Belford given service number X16 effective from 06-Jul-2014. To amend Timetable.


8. PB0002032/475 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP

Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Ashington
Finish Point: Bedlington Station
Via:
Service Number: 821
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 06-JUL-2014
Other Details: New School service

Will a different depot be operating the 30?

(12 May 2014, 2:40 pm)Jimmi wrote 1309 has finally moved to Darlington depot and is operating on Service 8/8A today.

Was operating service 75/76 on Friday!

I noticed today that all the Optare Solos in Darlington (minus the 2011 batch) have reverted back their rear destination screen, so instead of just a number in the middle it now replicates the front destination screen.

Why they changed it to just a number on such a long screen baffled me anyway! Glad it's back to the way it was

Maybe it's like a lot of things that Arriva are now realising were mistakes? Closing various depots, tight running times and such like? To be honest I've never really paid attention to what you are saying but it's right, just are you supposed to know where s bus is heading if their is no destination shown?

I'm just wondering, about this time last year I had regular discussions with several other enthusiasts about how Belmont depot was always allocating random vehicles to random services. It's been a while since I took an interest, and as I only ever really use or see the X2/X1 (unless I go to Durham Bus Station), does this still go on?

(12 May 2014, 2:48 pm)Tom wrote Will a different depot be operating the 30?

Could it be incorporated into the route change of the 34?

New Ashington Depot formally opened today with 7507 on display complete in Sapphire Livery and Specification for the X21/X22.

(12 May 2014, 6:02 pm)Richard Smiles wrote New Ashington Depot formally opened today with 7507 on display complete in Sapphire Livery and Specification for the X21/X22.

Any photo's available!

(12 May 2014, 6:14 pm)buznut wrote Any photo's available!

There are some pictures on Flickr Regional Bus Photos' Photostream
taken by Steven Hodgson, which is attached.
NOTE: The attached photo was taken by & is copyright owned by Steven Hodgson. - Thanks

I think the E400 looks very smart in this livery.... Arriva are starting to up their game at last!

Have these E400's being upgraded internally and mechanically? Just thinking that some of them had s bit of a punishing time running the X93.

(12 May 2014, 6:51 pm)robisdave15 wrote Have these E400's being upgraded internally and mechanically? Just thinking that some of them had s bit of a punishing time running the X93.

They now have a sapphire blue/grey coloured interior, E leather seats, plug sockets, next stop announcement technology, silver poles. A full internal refurb.

Mechanically, I have no idea!?

Haha I bet they'll end up on other routes, this is Arriva Northumberland!

Thanks Josh, somebody will come up with the mechanical answer I expect? My money says they haven't !! I'll not comment on the allocation issue

(12 May 2014, 7:33 pm)robisdave15 wrote Thanks Josh, somebody will come up with the mechanical answer I expect? My money says they haven't !! I'll not comment on the allocation issue

I think that given they will now be based at a depot competent enough to maintain them, any mechanical issues outstanding will have been or will be rectified.

Generally though, in terms of a refurbishment, it is purely cosmetic.

That says it all doesn't it Volvo? My heart goes out for the B7's they've given to Redcar.

Surely they will get a good mechanical check up before going into service. Otherwise a cosmetic makeover is just plain 'stupidity'
I Wonder How much each bus is going to cost?

Afraid I don't know the reputation of Ashington depot other than the good words said on here.

What is the new PVR of the 43, 44 and 45? If it's no more than 12, then I could see the X10 and X11 being upgraded next year.

(12 May 2014, 8:34 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote What is the new PVR of the 43, 44 and 45? If it's no more than 12, then I could see the X10 and X11 being upgraded next year.

The Geminis on the X10/X11 are getting 'MAX' refurbishments so they likely won't be getting a upgrade next year. 43/44/45 PVR is 11, split 6 single deckers and 5 double deckers.

Will be interesting to see Darlo's omnicites in Max livery,colours look very similar to saphire branding.I wonder if they sub brand the routes like they have on this latest release.