29/04/03

My anonymous informant brings a welcome report on Abbey Coaches. Ex Northumbria Leopard/Duple WSV565 has ben scrapped, though sister WSV567 may be prepared for use. Metrorider F188YDA and Bedford / Plaxton IIW4019 have been repainted yellow, the latter with school bus branding. Metroriders E829BTN and F52RFS are being dismatled on an allotment in Carlin How. Former TM Travel Tiger YPD130Y is in stock to donate it's engine. A couple more Tigers are in stock - more details when I get/see positive IDs.

27/04/03

News kindly supplied by Peter Tuck is that Weardale Motor Services have disposed of form stagecoach Titan B113WUV, but have kept A846SUL.

Several people have informed me that Arriva North East Optare Metrorider 752 (M752WWR) has moved on to Redcar, along with Stokesley spare 2602 (L602FHN). They are seeing use on services as diverse as the 82 Marske - Dormanstown and the trunk 63 Middlesbrough - Redcar!

26/04/03

New at Stanley Taxis is Optare Alero YN03NCA. It is Durham County Council's livery (as per JSB's Aleros) and is branded for use on Consett area service 767.

Premier, Blyth now have a pair of Neoplan Skyliners. They are MIL2406 and AAZ7677. Also added to stock is Duple Integral 425 D526BBV. Good news is that former Eden Leyland Leopard / Duple LPT972T continues in serice, as do similar RNG822W (one time OK) and HTY305W.

Arriva Northumbria MCW Metrobus 614 (GYE515W) is currently working for Blyth, whil Optare Vecta 1539 (L539FHN), no longer required at Hexham is currently parked at the rear of Durham depot.

A vehicle not previously noted with Bob Smith, Langley Park is Mercedes 811 / Plaxton L321BNX.

25/04/03

One time Tees & District Leyland National 2 3740 (NAT198V) is now in preservation with Phil Hiles. It will presumably be preserved in it's original East Yorkshire condition.

News kindly supplied by Steven Oliver is that First Borders are to close their outstation in Berwick, along with their Kelso depot in June. This leaves Berwick with no major group buses resident in the town.

The latest notices and proceedings for the north east traffic area show that Arriva Durham County are to make changes to the majority of Peterlee and Newton Aycliffe area routes from 01/06/03. It would appear that the 216 Thornley - Sunderland and 234 Peterlee - Stockton are to be merged to form the 214.

Reports on the StagecoachNE yahoo group suggest that (shock, horror!!) Stagecoach North East are to get some new buses! Click on the link above visit the group and find out more.

19/04/03

Further ex London Olympians noted in use with Go Northern at Stanley are 3919/23/7/8/31.

14/04/03

Further to working the 36 on Monday 7th April, Stagecoach Transit used Leyland Atlantean 15811 (EJR111W) on service X36 Middlesbrough - Hartlepool the following day! (Cheers to Marty B for this). Richard Smiles informs me that a farewell of some sort way be occurring soon.

07/04/03

What must go down as one of the most unusual workings of the year occurred today when Stagecoach Transit used Leyland Atlantean 15811 (EJR111W) on service 36 Park End - Hartlepool!

Arriva Durham County Volvo Olympian / East Lancs 7425 is back in service with it's new roof. The profile is slightly different, and the ends are differently glazed.

With the end of hospital service A5 Arriva Northumbria Optare Metrorider 752 (M752WWR) has moved to Teesside, at Stockton.

05/04/03

A rare beast now operating for Altona Coaches is Optare Bodied Leyland Cub C811KBT.

Arriva Tees & Dirstrict DAF SB220GS / Ikarus 4078 (T79AUA) has lost all of it's 65 brandings, and now wears large Arriva fleetnames in their place.

Arriva Durham County Optare Delta 4012 (K412BHN) has transferred to Bishop Auckland, and has reverted to roller blinds for it's destination - thanks to Stuart Grey.

04/04/03

The latest Notices and Proceedings show that Arriva Durham County are changing many services operated by Richmond from 18/05/03. It also confirms that they will have their usual Moorsbus diagrams along with Leven Valley, while Roaminey Travel make a return too.

News kindly provided by Richard Smiles is that Stagecoach in Sunderland have recieved their MAN14.220 / East Lancs demonstrator on long term loan. It is registered PN03OWA. I hope to hunt it down for a photo on Monday all being well!