30/04/05
Arriva Durham County now have ex Arriva Northumbria Optare Metroriders 885/99 (N885RTN, P58XTN) at Durham. It is presumed that these are acting as float vehicles for further native ones sent away for refurbishment.
Metro Coaches, Middlesbrough have added Volvo B10M / Berkhof W400LCT to stock.
Former OK Travel Leyland Tiger / Plaxton XEF12Y is currently for sale on eBay.
29/04/05
Firstly I can confirm that Arriva Northumbria have AlexanderDennis Mini Pointer Dart 1760 (NK05GVX) in service at Hexham. It has the dame dual purpose seating as the Darlington examples, but does not feature the large luggage rack, so is DP29F. Peter Tuck informs me that withdrawn Leyland Tiger / Duple 218 (F189HKK) and fire-damaged Scania L113 / East Lancs 286 (N286NCN) are now in the same yard at Annfield Plain as the Olympians previously mentioned [Note that this yard is not in fact owned by Gardiners, but is being used by them to store some of teh Routemasters that they have for sale]
A vehicle not previously noted with Stanley Taxis is Mercedes Vario / Plaxton Y475TSU.
New at Tynedale Group Travel is Optare Solo YJ05WBY, seen working the 688 Hexham - Allenheads today.
New at Snowdons, Easington is Volvo B12B / Plaxton YN05HVH.
26/04/05
Stagecoach have issued a press release detailing their latest new vehicle orders. It is understood that a number of these, including the five Transbus Enviro 300s, are for the North East.
Peter Tuck has supplied some interesting notes after visiting Gardiners of Spennymoor. The Volvo B6BLE / Plaxton 2000 on loan to Weardale, NK54PHV, is in fact owned by Gardiners (though retains Henry Cooper legals). Gardiners also now use premises in Annfield Plain, where Arriva Northumbria Leyland Olympian / ECW 7214/64/7 (WDC214Y, CWR514Y, A567NWX) have arrived for scrap. Ex Arriva Optare Metrorider K726HUG and ex Henry Cooper Bedford / Duple JFT412X are also present, along with three of teh Routemasters that Gardiners are selling on in a joint venture with Henry Cooper.
25/04/05
Arriva Durham County AlexanderDennis Mini Pointer Darts 1761/2 (NK05GVY/Z) entered service at Darlington today. They are to DP26F specification with large luggage racks.
Weardale, Stanhope have Volvo B6BLE / Plaxton 2000 NK54PHV on loan from Henry Cooper, Annitsford. It was noted on service 101 today.
24/04/05
Neil Wise brings the highly interesting news that Arriva Durham County have received new AlexanderDennis Mini Pointer Darts 1761/2 (NK05GVY/Z). These are to work the new Darlington Station - Teesside Airport shuttle when it begins in May and are currently in allover white and expected to enter service tomorrow. It is understood that 1760 is with Arriva Northumbria at Hexham, though I will confirm details as and when I get them. Neil also tells me that Optare Metrorider 2738 (N801BKN) is finally under preparation at Jesmond for service, freshly repainted and with Durham County legals. Darlington Metroriders 2711/6 (R711/6MHN) are at Jesmond for repaint, while cannibalised Leyland Olympian 7264 (CWR514Y) is also there.
22/04/05
A quick reminder to get yourselves down to The 500 Group's running day in Middlesbrough on Sunday. A particularly good selection of vehicles is expected, operating between The Transporter Bridge and Stockton via Middlesbrough Bus Station.
The Go North East website shows that Leyland Olympian / ECW 3660 (C660LJR) and Volvo B6 / Plaxton 8408 (L408GDC) have been sold.
19/04/05
Graeme Scarlett of The Eden, Bishop Auckland tells me that Mercedes / Plaxton M5 (AHZ5196) to stock ex Woods of Wigston. Mercedes 709 / Reeve Burgess F444GAT has been withdrawn, while RoHill Harrier RH1 is due to be sold. The company now has a new depot at Unit 1, Westgate Road, Bishop Auckland - a short walk from the bus station. Graeme tells me that enthusiasts are welcome (within reason).
A few Stagecoach in Newcastle snippets that I have missed, have kindly been brought to my attention by Anth. Volvo B10M / Northern Counties 20294 (M404SPY) has arrived from Hartlepool to replace Scania N113 / Alexander 28912 (F912JRG), while a further Volvo B10M / Plaxton Driver trainer is 52082 (G531LWU). At least two of Megabus Leyland Olympians 13630/46/52 have gone to Chesterfield to suit the service changes that took effect yesterday. Newcastle services now run to Tibshelf via Sheeffield Meadowhall, connecting with Leeds-London services.
14/04/05
Mark Gibbon tells me that in something of a suprise move Arriva Teesside have regained Leyland Lynx driver trainer 9993 (H755WWW) after repaint, though it is not known whether 9992 (H339UWT) will replace it when ready.
Gary Mitchelhill tells me that Go North East have Mercedes Citaro (rigid) demonstrator BX54ECV on loan at Gateshead. It has been fitted with Go North East internal posters and carries fleetnumber 54, so may stay a while.
Ross Sherwood tells me that Stagecoach in Darlington now additionally have Dennis Dart / Alexander 32703/10 (K703/10PCN) in use. These appear to have replaced Leyland Lynx II 29321/9 (J901UKV, K629YVN).
10/04/05
Mark Gibbon tells me that Arriva Teesside are to lose Leyland Lynx driver trainer 9993 (H755WWW) in favour of sister 9992 (H339UWT). Optare Vecta 1558 (K140RYS) will re-enter service at Stockton soon, complete with Cummins engine. Fitment of the radio/GPS systems continues.
Matt Southart reports Arriva Durham County DAF SB220 / Plaxton 4060 (S702KFT) at Arriva North West's Bootle depot where it is to be refurbished for the relaunch of the Durham network in July.
Ross Sherwood tells me that Stagecoach in Darlington Leyland Lynx 29621/9 (J901UKV, K629YVN) and recently arrived Leyland Olympian / Alexander 14185 (G185JHG) are now parked in the corner of the yard with ticketing equipment removed, appearing to be delicenced.
The Go North East website shows that Optare Metroriders 390, 404/7 (L390AVK, M504/7HNL) have been sold.
Alrite Travel, Middlesbrough have added Mercedes 811 (unidendifiable bodybuilder) G111CSJ to stock, while Michael Paterson reports a third Dennis Dart / Carlyle as H94MOB.
Added to stock at JSB, Newton Aycliffe former Stagcoach Mercedes 709 / Alexander N460VOD, though it was noted on hire to Green Bus yesterday.
Former United / Northumbria Bristol VR / ECW OBR772T, APT807/18W are slowly being cannibalised by Jones, Llanfaethlu. Also present at Jones was former Cleveland Transit Bristol VR / Northern Counties RDC106R, now with the 500 Group for preservation