Un-ID'd Red Kite on X70/X71 today. Will be on the next departure from Newcastle.

Edit: Scrap the above, it runs onto a 45:46 once it reaches NCL. :p

Blue Coaster NK56KJY is at Sunderland Road today, as well as North Tyne Links MPD 504. I would assume this is for MOT day, but not certain on that one.

A MetroLINK Solar was parked up at Gateshead Interchange earlier today also, so could be a similar story for that vehicle too.

1001 has been repainted into standard ancillary vehicle livery (plain red w/ GNE logos).

(31 Jul 2013, 3:52 am)nk55 wrote There was talk the buses would remain in the ok livery due to the 684 operated by ok travel, however plans keep changing.

I am guessing 5229 will go ''Northern'' - The X84 will probably only need 4 (or less!) vehicles, so 5229 will not be needed. I hope the Scanias do stay in ''OK Expressway'' livery though.

(31 Jul 2013, 8:40 am)W179SCU wrote

(31 Jul 2013, 3:52 am)nk55 wrote There was talk the buses would remain in the ok livery due to the 684 operated by ok travel, however plans keep changing.

I am guessing 5229 will go ''Northern'' - The X84 will probably only need 4 (or less!) vehicles, so 5229 will not be needed. I hope the Scanias do stay in ''OK Expressway'' livery though.

When the new registration came out on Vosa for the X84 there was also a new registration for the 687 which had a starting point where the X84 will terminate, maybe the X84 will continue on as a separate service onto the 687?.

(31 Jul 2013, 8:26 am)Liam wrote

(31 Jul 2013, 8:02 am)Daniel wrote 1001 has been repainted into standard ancillary vehicle livery (plain red w/ GNE logos).

He's found it!!! Just 4 days later

She's been hiding!! :-p

Yellow Bus on the 309/310 today. Was rather unexpected but is presumably covering for Citaro 5334 who is at Saltmeadows today for reasons unknown. Sister 5335 went to Saltmeadows also a few days ago, but was sent back and didn't look like she had even been touched.

Yellow Bus on the 309/310 today. Was rather unexpected but is presumably covering for Citaro 5334 who is at Saltmeadows today to be repainted (is being sanded now). Sister 5335 went to Saltmeadows also a few days ago, but was sent back and didn't look like she had even been touched.

The 27 is running to a pretty weird frequency - every 10/11 minutes according to the timetable. Not all that easy to remember. Surely every 12 minutes would make sense?

[quote='Daniel' pid='8621' dateline='1375257751']

A MetroLINK Solar was parked up at Gateshead Interchange earlier today also, so could be a similar story for that vehicle too.

Most likely been used on the Saltmeadows Staff Shuttle for a short while, Unless it had been on the 921 or the X1 and had broke down at Gateshead earlier in the day maybe.

(31 Jul 2013, 11:11 am)Daniel wrote Yellow Bus on the 309/310 today. Was rather unexpected but is presumably covering for Citaro 5334 who is at Saltmeadows today to be repainted (is being sanded now). Sister 5335 went to Saltmeadows also a few days ago, but was sent back and didn't look like she had even been touched.

"Cobalt Clipper" Citaros are having their rear advertisements removed, and are being repainted after the adverts are removed. Unlike what I said before, 5335 is likely to have had her advert removed too.

(30 Jul 2013, 7:39 pm)nk55 wrote 4944 has replaced 5229 at crook, which has now left crook for internal refurbishment (thorntons) and repainting (saltmeadows), 6024 ended up on the ok1 due to the roadworks at cockerton causing delays, 6024 being the "spare" at the time.

5229 is currently at Saltmeadows, presumably pending repaint.

(31 Jul 2013, 2:24 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Most likely been used on the Saltmeadows Staff Shuttle for a short while, Unless it had been on the 921 or the X1 and had broke down at Gateshead earlier in the day maybe.

Off memory (couldn't get a photo as it was on the bend at Gateshead Interchange - we're not allowed to walk there), said "MetroLINK" was 4965 or 4966. 4961 would be done before these, and debranding/repainting of "MetroLINK" branded vehicles is currently on hold - therefore couldn't be used as a Saltmeadows Staff Shuttle. "Coaster" and "The OK Expressway" branded vehicles should come before any further "MetroLINK" repaints if I am correct.
Could potentially have been on the "Red Arrows" service X1/921 and if it was late, could have been waiting time at Gateshead so it could just swing round and be on-time once more. I believe a plum Solar made it onto the X1 a week or two ago, so there's always potential for it to happen with "MetroLINK" branded vehicles too.

What colour are the cobolt clippers going?
Are they gonna get a new brand?

Can someone give me a update on re-paints, what is due and whats being painted?
Thanks

3972 on #42
8319 on #35 or #35A (can't remember which)

Solo SR on the 27X again - managing to display it properly!

Also, the blinds on the M1 have been reprogrammed on some of the vehicles to display 'Houghton le Sp' on front and rear displays with 'Houghton' on the side. This is instead of the previous 'Houghton le Spring' front and rear with 'Houghton' on the side.

Curious one tonight. A Pronto decker running NIS upto the roundabout at Pelton/Perkinsville. Changed to a 34 whilst stuck in traffic and picked up the route from Pelton towards Waldridge Park.
Not aware of any short workings, only other suggestion is that there has been a breakdown of some sort. Either way, the folk of Ouston and Urpeth Grange are getting wet waiting for the next service

(31 Jul 2013, 4:21 pm)Andreos1 wrote Curious one tonight. A Pronto decker running NIS upto the roundabout at Pelton/Perkinsville. Changed to a 34 whilst stuck in traffic and picked up the route from Pelton towards Waldridge Park.
Not aware of any short workings, only other suggestion is that there has been a breakdown of some sort. Either way, the folk of Ouston and Urpeth Grange are getting wet waiting for the next service

I seen a Pronto last Friday at 09:45am on Crowther Road in Washington next to the Holiday Inn, whilst on the 50 going to Chester le Street. Forgot to report it, Just seen the word Pronto in your post and I remembered. No idea if it was on a Road Test or on a Diversion on the X21 something as it didnt follow the 50 onto the Motorway, it seemed to go around the roundabout then back up Crowther Road.

(31 Jul 2013, 3:14 pm)Michael wrote What colour are the cobolt clippers going?
Are they gonna get a new brand?

Can someone give me a update on re-paints, what is due and whats being painted?
Thanks

Repaints in the last two months have included:
- MPD 547 (Doxford Clipper to Northern)
- MPD 603-606 (Doxford Clipper to Northern)
- MPD 618/619 (Venture to Yellow)
- Gemini 3964 (FestivalNE to Real Radio)
- Solars 4956-60 (MetroLINK to Plum)
- Omnicity 5261-5* (Coaster to Blue)
- Cadet 8258-9/8271-3 (Drifter to Northern).

* 5265 should have entered the paintshop this afternoon. If not, it will be in the paintshop tomorrow

What's to come (that is known to everyone rather than a select few with contacts in GNE)?
- All other MetroLINK Solars
- All other Coaster Omnicitys (with a few other Omnicitys planned too)
- All OK Expressway Solars
- Gemini 3964 (current livery will last until the end of August)

The "MetroLINK" and "Coaster" branded vehicles are sent on a one-by-one basis. The "Coaster" branded vehicles will take at least three weeks more taking this into account, while all "OK Expressway" branded vehicles could be achieved within a week as they can be taken out of service immediately and all sent to Saltmeadows. September will be here, and 3964 will be due in. After 3964, repaints of "MetroLINK" branded vehicles can commence again. This will take a minimum of two weeks.

As I suggested above, a few more Omnicitys may be planned for repaint too, so allow for delays of 2 weeks to the schedule I gave. Take into account when vehicles need to be out fully branded etc, and if it isn't looking like this could be achieved, it will mean depots will have to send more than one at a time.


Re: Cobalt Clipper
Only the rear of the vehicles are being repainted at the moment. Most (if not all) Citaros have a rear advertisement and require a repaint to clean them up a bit afterwards, so going straight back into silver.
I imagine after the above repaints are complete, work may possibly start on "Cobalt Clipper" branded vehicles too.

Thanks alot, was just confused alittle also dont forget the streetlites which is due for september should be at heyshem docks

Its all happening hopefully we know by end of September time what fleet changes will happen and where everything is going

(31 Jul 2013, 4:53 pm)Michael wrote Thanks alot, was just confused alittle also dont forget the streetlites which is due for september should be at heyshem docks

Its all happening hopefully we know by end of September time what fleet changes will happen and where everything is going

I imagine fleet changes will start before September.

I think the MOT expires on all of the DAFs within the fleet by the end of August. You can say that the vehicles will be taken out of service a week prior to this date so that they can be prepared for withdrawal and sent to Hexham for storage until they are scrapped.
Fleet movements will need to come into play to accommodate these changes, as Chester-le-Street only have 27 "Northern" branded vehicles (inc. 2x "M-Ticket" branded), with some already being utilised on services that are not held within a brand.

(31 Jul 2013, 4:30 pm)Daniel wrote Re: Cobalt Clipper
Only the rear of the vehicles are being repainted at the moment. Most (if not all) Citaros have a rear advertisement and require a repaint to clean them up a bit afterwards, so going straight back into silver.
I imagine after the above repaints are complete, work may possibly start on "Cobalt Clipper" branded vehicles too.

Wonder if they'll do that with the 'Crusader' Citaro that has a 'Love Northumberland' advert on the rear. Seems a bit pointless advertising Northumberland County Council in South Tyneside

(31 Jul 2013, 5:08 pm)BJ10VUS wrote

(31 Jul 2013, 4:30 pm)Daniel wrote Re: Cobalt Clipper
Only the rear of the vehicles are being repainted at the moment. Most (if not all) Citaros have a rear advertisement and require a repaint to clean them up a bit afterwards, so going straight back into silver.
I imagine after the above repaints are complete, work may possibly start on "Cobalt Clipper" branded vehicles too.

Wonder if they'll do that with the 'Crusader' Citaro that has a 'Love Northumberland' advert on the rear. Seems a bit pointless advertising Northumberland County Council in South Tyneside

I believe that there are a few "Crusader" branded Citaros that have a few odd panels that need to be painted... I noticed one a few days ago with a panel kind of hanging off (same story with a "North Tyne Links" MPD today too), but a lot have been replaced with darker coloured panels.
A "Red Kite" Omnicity was having a few panels repainted today that had either been replaced or needed replacing. I imagine when Saltmeadows' load isn't quite so heavy, they'll have it removed. That said, they'll have to wait until the advertisement is due to be removed to actually remove it - otherwise they'd have to refund Northumberland County Council some money if they paid for it to be displayed, surely? Seems incredibly pointless nevertheless, I agree.

I don't think that the adverts on Cobalt Clipper were the same, they were just every day adverts you see on buses if I am correct. They didn't have the proper boards for them though, hence the need to remove the adverts, sand down and then repaint to clean them back up.

(31 Jul 2013, 5:00 pm)Daniel wrote

(31 Jul 2013, 4:53 pm)Michael wrote Thanks alot, was just confused alittle also dont forget the streetlites which is due for september should be at heyshem docks

Its all happening hopefully we know by end of September time what fleet changes will happen and where everything is going

I imagine fleet changes will start before September.

I think the MOT expires on all of the DAFs within the fleet by the end of August. You can say that the vehicles will be taken out of service a week prior to this date so that they can be prepared for withdrawal and sent to Hexham for storage until they are scrapped.
Fleet movements will need to come into play to accommodate these changes, as Chester-le-Street only have 27 "Northern" branded vehicles (inc. 2x "M-Ticket" branded), with some already being utilised on services that are not held within a brand.

Not forgetting the Citaros for the M1 also, doubt they'd release the Solars off the M1 until the New Buses have arrived and are branded etc, As for the DAF's on the Waggonway/Lambton Worm I think they'll use whatever is spare at the time, baring in mind the Scholars Services will be in effect again by then

Will they have enough spare buses?
Hopefully all the new buses are delivered early.

(31 Jul 2013, 5:38 pm)Michael wrote Will they have enough spare buses?
Hopefully all the new buses are delivered early.

I think Arriva/Stagecoach and TGM Classic and possibly Kingsley's should be providing buses also, so it should be ok

(31 Jul 2013, 6:43 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote

(31 Jul 2013, 5:38 pm)Michael wrote Will they have enough spare buses?
Hopefully all the new buses are delivered early.

I think Arriva/Stagecoach and TGM Classic and possibly Kingsley's should be providing buses also, so it should be ok

For Go North East's Chester-le-Street depot operations? Hmm...

I dunno...I'd love a Classic on the 21 again

What im confused i ment will GNE will have enough buses when the DAFs MOTs run out

(31 Jul 2013, 7:05 pm)Michael wrote What im confused i ment will GNE will have enough buses when the DAFs MOTs run out

I think Adam misunderstood. Likelihood of GNE drafting in vehicles from ANE/SNE/Indeps is almost impossible (never say never!)
Like I say, vehicle transfers will have to take place for w/c 19th August to accommodate for the loss of the DAFs.

Who has the most spare buses in the depot?

We all really gonna miss the DAFs on the 28/28A haha

Im currently in the lakes so havent had time to check for the spare buses... if u want to know its being lashing down since 2:30... haha

It's raining here in Washington, not heavily though, but it's been a constant on/off showers since about 4pm, I'll try and draw up some possible fleet changes that may happen.

I'm about to be very controversial but from a 28 passengers point of view, if things were dragging with deliveries and paint jobs, I'd be on the phone to Ensign to see if we could borrow these beauties back


Ensign obviously can't shift 'em

(photo from Ensign Sales Page


PS, was browsing and came across this on Bazza90 (all photo credit to him) and was wondering...how did GNE get away with this one?! (assuming its not a mocked up shot)