30/08/05
Richard Smiles kindly provides an update on the Stagecoach on Teesside fleet. A second Volvo Olympian / Northern Counties from Newcastle is 16436 (647DYE), while Olympians 14633/6/58 (C633/6/58LFT) are now in reserve.
Gary Mitchelhill tells me that Stagecoach in Newcastle Scania N113 / Alexander 15303 (H423BNL) has gone to Scotland, while I undertand that sister 15308 (H428BNL) has followed it. It would appear that the Enviros will hit the road in the next few days.
James Ingram tells me that Abbey Coaches, South Bank have received Bristol VRT / ECW LHG448T. However, Rob Sly's BVRES website shows this as used for spares by Griersons, Fisburn. Can anyone confirm the ID?
27/08/05
Marty B reports that Stagecoach on Teesside now have Volvo Olympian / Northern Counties 16431 (VLT255) from Newcastle.
Neil Wise tells me that Arriva Durham County at Dalington have gained Mercedes Vario / Plaxton 2658 (S823MCC) from Blyth in exchange for 2673 (R797DUB). Optare Delta 4106 (F701ECC) is withdrawn, while Leyland Olympian / ECW 7266 (CWR519Y) is also out of use.
Colin Davidson has noted Northumbria Coaches Volvo B10M / Plaxton K565GSA and MPD W632RNP in a lime green livery, with blinds set to show service number 618 - a route that is to be introduced to compete with Arriva service 518. Colin has since spotted the new Northumbria Coaches website, which shows the timetable for the new service 618, fleetlist and other information.
New at Procters, Bedale is Volvo B12RT / Berkhof FN05DWO, a rather striking double deck coach.
26/08/05
Andrew Tyldsley confirms that the ex Arriva London Leyland Olympian with Go North East is G528VBB. He also tells me that UWW6X is only on loan for a couple of months while further ex Arriva and IOMT Olympians are prepared for service - so far only G528VBB is to be repainted. An additional arriva is sister G529VBB.
25/08/05
Richard Kennedy brings the superb news that Go North East are stocking up on a selection Leyland and Volvo Olympians for newly won contracts. He noted ex Nottingham Volvo Olympian / East Lancs R469/70/7RRA, ex Isle of Man Leyland Olympian / Alexander H481PVW, an ex Arriva London Leyland Olympian / Northern Counties and - most suprisingly - Leyland Olympian / Roe UWW6X ex Eastbourne! Additionally, native Leyland Olympian / ECW 3672/3 (C672/3LJR) are being reinstated. Richard also reports that Optare Deltas 4735/7/44/5(G735/7/44/5RTY) have been sold to Kimberley Coaches / Tyne Blue line. I would expect these to be seen on new service 603 Prudhoe - Newcastle when it starts.
Info courtesy of Neil Wise and others is that Arriva Durham County now have all five of the Mercedes Varios from Loftus at Darlington - 2656/59/60/70/73 (R110/3/2GNW, R792/7DUB). However, 2670 has now moved to Blyth in exchange for recently arrived Alexander bodied R130GNW. The fleetnumber for this is unclear, with 2657, 2661 and 2667 all being reported from various sources!
21/08/05
Dave reports that Arriva Northumbria have received new MPDs 1774/5 (NK05GWV/W) ready to convert Whitley Bay "W" services to low floor from 04/09/05. He also reports and additional Mercedes Vario as 2662 (S350PGA). Leyland Olympian / ECW 7407/8 (C260/1UAJ) have been taken to Hexham for storage pending disposal, but thankfully Leyland Olympian / Roe 7286/92 (UWW13X, CUB66Y) continue in use at Blyth. KVTipple adds that DAF SB3000 / Plaxton 1211 (V211DJR) is now in use at Alnwick, as I found out yesterday!
Ray Barber, Neil Wise & Mark Gibbon have between them reported on busesnortheast that Arriva Teesside have received additional Optare Metroriders 878/80 (N878/80RTN) from Blyth, displacing Mini Pointer Darts 1720/1 (V720/1DNL) to Redcar, allowing short-lived Dennis Darts 1601/2 (N701/3GUM) to rejoin many of their ex London sisters with Arriva NW&W. The second Vario moved from Loftus to Darlington is 2660 (R112GNW), the MPDs sent in exchange being 1736/7(V736/7DNL).
James Ingram tells me that Alrite, Middlesbrough have Volvo B10M / Van Hool XIL8145.
It would appear that Leven Valley, Middlesbrough have not received their new Solos yet, as an allover-white rental example was on the 592 today.
19/08/05
Former Stagecoach on Teesside Leyland Fleetline / Northern Counties 144 (JAJ144W) which had been for sale on ebay has been sold to a buyer in France.
Dave reports that Arriva Northumbria Scania L113 / East Lancs 517 (M117RMS) has returned to Scotland. Richard Kennedy reports that Mercedes Vario / Plaxton 2672 (R796DUB) is the latest to enter service at Blyth. The ex North East DAF SB3000 coaches are starting to come on-stream now, with 1214 (V214DJR) entereing service at Hexham today and 1212/3 (V212/3DJR) being noted in use with Alnwick yesterday. Thanks to Richard and to Robert Hall for these sightings.
As a result of the Vario arrivaing above, Arriva Teesside have received Metrorider 902 (P902DRG) from Blyth. This displaced MPD 1747 (V747ECU) to Arriva Durham County at Darlington and in turn Dart 1630 (S630KHN) to Arriva NW&W. However, Neil Wise reports that one of Darlington's MPDs has gone to Loftus in exhange for Mercedes Vario 2656, with another four such swaps expected.
14/08/05
News on some former Stagecoach on Teesside machines. Neil Wise ahs spotted Leyland Fleetline / Northern Counties 144 (JAJ144W) for sale on ebay, while Marty B reports Dennis Dominator / Northern Counties 219/22 (C219/22WAJ) as now being with Stephensons of Easingwold.
12/08/05
John Atkin has passed on the above photos of one of Stagecoach in Newcastle's new AlexanderDennis Enviro 300s. My thanks go to the anonymous photographer whoever you may be!
10/08/05
Craig Bell & Marty B report some re-arrnging of the Mercedes Varios with Arriva North East. Loftus have gained 2659/60 (R113/2GNW), while 2666 (S823MCC) and S352PGA (presumed to be 2669) were not to be seen - presumed moved to Blyth.
Elliot Stuffins reports that Stagecoach North East Leyland Olympian / Alexander 14180/3 (G180/3JHG) have gone to Stagecoach Merseyside (formerly Glenvale/GTL). Noted on one of the yahoogroups today was the passage of five new AlexanderDennis Enviro 300s in Stagecoach livery carring NK05... registrations. Looks like the 100 is the route to watch over the next few days and weeks!
08/08/05
Upon updating my Go North East data against the listings on their website, I have picked up a few vehicle movements to report. Scania L94UB / Wright 4970 (NK53UNW) has moved from Gateshead to Chester-le-Street, while gateshead have received Volvo B6 / Alexander 8433-5 (M433RDC, N670/1VUP) from Winlaton. Winlaton have gained Volvo Olympian / Northern Counties 3915 (R355LGH) from Stanley, Dennis Trident / East Lancs 3869 (W179SCU) from Percy Main and sisters 3872/3 (W182/3SCU)from Chester-le-Street, but lost Optare Deltas 4757/8 (K757/8SBB) to Chester-le-Street and Stanley respectively, Volvo B6 / Alexander 8424 (M424PVN) and Optare Solo 457 (T457BNL) to Bishop Auckland and Optare Solo 449 (S249KNL) to Percy Main. Optare Specta 3837 (K305FYG) moves from Chester-le-Street to Percy Main, with Percy Main losing Super Pointer Dart 8213 (V213ERG) to Deptford, who also gain Volvo Olympian 3899 (R257LGH) from Washington. Bishop Auckland lose Volvo Olympian / Northern Counties 3930/5 (R389/94LGH) and Optare Metrorider 418 (P418VRG) to Deptford. Removed from service are Optare Metroriders 410/13/27 (N410/3NTN, P427VRG) and Optare Delta 4744 (G744UTY).
News from Tony Walshaw is that Compass Royston have received new Mercedes Touro NK05UEM and Volvo / Berkhof double deck FN05DFV. The Touro is to a high-spec 32 seat layout and is the new Middlesbrough FC team coach, while the Volvo is an 83 seater coach to a more mundane spec, to be used to carry parties of students around teh country and abroad. Volvo B12R / Van Hool R12ESL and Volvo B12M / Jonkhere NV51YCS were traded in for the latter. Dennis Dart / Wright K127LGO has been painted white, but it's future has yet to be decided.
05/08/05
David Turner has made enquiries with Arriva Northumbria about the possible acquisition of Leyland Olympian / ECW 7302 (C264XEF) for preservation. If you would be interested in helping out in some way (cash/storage/restoration....) please get in touch with him by email
A former Arriva Northumbria vehicle availble for purchase is Leyland Olympian / Alexander 7303 (F303JTY) currently available on ebay
02/08/05
Alex Kennedy kindly clears up the Vario situation at Arriva Tees & District's Loftus depot. They have R792/7DUB (2670/3), S823MCC (2666), S352PGA (number not yet noted) and R110GNW (number not yet noted).
A further pair of vehicles still in operation at Durham with Arriva Durham County, in spite of their expected onward movement is Volvo Olympian / East Lancs 7425 (M689HPF) and Optare Metrorider 899 (P58XTN).
Thanks to Dave for confirming that Arriva Northumbria Scania L113 / Alexander 504 (M104RMS) has gone back to Scotland. Native Scania L113 / East Lancs 280/5 (P814VTY, N285NCN) were on loan to Scotland, though 285 has now returned, and retains Scotland legal lettering at the moment.
A couple of shots from the Sandtoft Gathering on Sunday. Recently preserved United Bristol VR / ECW 808 (APT808W) looking immaculate and newly preserved Leyland Leopard / plaxton KUB544V which was latterly with Skelton Coaches, Charltons and Winns, Brompton before that.
News held over from last week is a list of vehicles provided by Stagecoach North West for the Tall Ships Park and Ride, courtesy of Richard Kennedy. They were Leyland Olympian / Alexander 14193/245/7 and Volvo Olympian / Alexander 16352/5/637/59/62. Additional vehicles drafted in for City sightseeing duties were MCW Metrobus FKM270Y from Cambridge and Leyland Atlantean / Alexander GSC633X from York.
Richard Smiles reports that Leven Valley, Middlesbrough will receive two new Optare Solos on 14/08/05, these will be 27/8 (T27/8BXG) - note the use of cherished plates and traditional Middlesbrough "XG" marks.
01/07/05
The launch of the new "Viva" network in Durham has led to a busy weekend of movements at Arriva North East. Movements observed by myself, and reported as due or happened by Neil Wise, Dannyspectra, Martin Brigham, Colin Davidson, Dave and Mark Gibbon are as follows:
Leyland Tiger: 214/6/7/47 (XSV691, YSU871, F188HKK, B277KPF) removed from service
MCW Metrobus: 604/22 (KYV646X, A973SYF) Jesmond - Durham, 614 (GYE515W) removed from service
Optare Metrorider: 863/6/7/70/1, 2734 (M863/6/7/70/1KCU, M448HPF) removed from service, 875 (M875LBB) Blyth - Stockton, 880/8 (N880RTN, N192RVK) Blyth - removed from service, 887 (N887RTN) Loftus - Blyth, 898 (P57XTN) Durham - Blyth, 2618 (P618FHN) Durham - Loftus, 2623 (P623FHN) Durham - Bishop Auckland and 2619/21 (P619/21FHN) Durham - Richmond, 2624 (P624FHN) Durham - Peterlee.
DAF SB3000 / Plaxton: 1210/1 (V210/1DJR) Bishop Auckland - Alnwick, 1212/3 (V212/3DJR) Redcar - Alnwick, 1214 (V214DJR) Redcar - Hexham.
Mini Pointer Dart: 1763-73 (NK05GWA/C-G/J/M-O/U) New - Durham, 1718 (V718DNL) Stockton - Redcar.
Optare Prisma: 3018/9 (N518/9XVN) Redcar - Bishop Auckland.
Optare Delta: 4014-8 (K414-8BHN) Durham - Redcar, 4019/90/1 (L419FHN, G251/2SRG) Durham - Darlington, 4096 (G257UVK) Durham - Richmond, 4106 (F701ECC) removed from service.
DAF SB220 / Plaxton: 4041 (S341KHN) Stockton - Darlington.
Scania CN94UB Omnicity: 4646-59 (NK05GWZ, GXA-H/J/K/M-O) New - Durham.
Leyland Olympian / ECW: 7302/407/9 (C264XEF, C260/2UAJ) Removed from service, 7221 (D157FYM) Ashington - Blyth.
Leyland Olympian / Roe: 7263/86 (TPD116X, UWW13X) Removed from service
Leyland Olympian / Alexander: 7273/4 (L273/4FVN) Durham - Peterlee
Leyland Olympian / Northern Counties: 7284 (G761UYT) removed from service
Scania N113 / Northern Counties: 7253-5 (M178/9/80LYP) Jesmond - Alnwick
DAF DB250/ East Lancs: 7436/7/9/40 (Y686/7/9/5EBR) Durham - Blyth, 7438/41/2 (Y688/91/2EBR) Darlington - Blyth.
Dennis Trident / Alexander: 7430-5 (W395-9/501RBB) Blyth - Jesmond
Volvo B7TL / Alexander: 7445/6 (NK05GWX/Y) New - Darlington
However, it should be noted that not all of these movements are complete, due to the time required to prepare vehicles for service. Noted still in use today were Leyland Tiger 214, Metrobus 614 and Leyland Olympians 7286, 7407/9, while non-overdrive/"viva"/Durham School bus fleet vehicles still in normal Durham service were Optare Delta 4020 (L420FHN), optare Metrorider 885, 2736 (N885RTN, M452HPG) and Volvo olympian / East Lancs 7426/9 (M690/3HPF). Also, more moves are expected - especially as a result of the arrival of more Mercedes Varios and the impending conversion of Richmond depot to 100% minibus.