30/12/04

Gary Mitchelhill tells me that Astley, Seaton Delaval/Ashington now have Leyland National 2 FTN695W and Optare Metrorider L381YFT ex Low Fell Travel. 

25/12/04

Stagecoach on Teesside Leyland Olympian / ALexander 14198 (J198HFR) has returned from Sunderland repainted and fitted with bus seats. Present at the Stockton depot are a pair of Darlington's Lynx IIs, one of which is 29621 (J901UKV). Ross Sherwood tells me that these are present at Stockton for their annual test. 

23/12/04

Richard Kennedy tells me that Go North East have taken delivery of Scania L94UB / Wright 5213 (NK54NVH). They seem to be quite elusive in service so far, though the above photo shows 5201 in service in Durham. 

Northumbria Coaches, Ashington additionally have ex Aston Optare Metrorider R93HUA (and presumably R92HUA too). The ex Aston Metrorider that was being sold by this operator on eBay has clearly not met it's reserve -- as it has entered service here! Another Metrorider not noted previously is L735MWW. 

Classic, Annfield Plain have Optare Solos MX04VLR/S in stock from Mistral for use on service 60 Gateshead Quays shuttle. This is now operated on a 15 minute frequency requiring both solos. 

19/12/04

Ross Sherwood brings the news that Stagecoach in Darlington have taken Leyland Olympian / Northern Counties 13022 (A22HDB) out of service, with no prospect of return. Leyland Lynx 29630 (K630YVN) is also in reserve. 

Dogcatcherssc tells me that Arriva Northumbria now have have Mini Pointer Darts 1726/32 (V726/32DNL) back at Blyth after being on loan to Arriva Scotland West. These should displace Optare Metroriders 2731/5 (M445/9HPF). 

News on a former Go North East Olympian - JTY388X, which is with Andrews of Tideswell has now had an interesting conversion into a tree lopper, with the four middle bays (roof and upper deck windows) removed. 

16/12/04

Mark Gibbon informs me that the arrival of Optare Metrorider 2730 (M444HPF) at Arriva Teesside's Stockton depot was prompted by the failure of both 876 (M876LBB) and 2606 (P606FHN). Also Optare Vecta 1506 (K506BHN) has failed. This may gain the engine from accident damaged 1518 (K518BHN). 

Neil Wise advises that Arriva Durham County have ex Northumbria Optare Metrorider 887 (N887RTN) in use at Peterlee. 

13/12/04

A photo of the AlexanderDennis Enviro 300 that Arriva Durham County have on loan at Durham. The Dunn-Line legals have now been removed. 

Go North East MPDs 603-5 (NK54NTX/Y/UA) are in service, seen on the 231 today. Also, Dennis Trident / East Lancs 3871 (W181SCU) is on loan at Bishop Auckland ex Chester-le-Street. 

11/12/04

Arriva Teesside now have Optare Metrorider 2730 (M444HPF) ex Arriva Northumbria. This and 2731/5 are due to be displaced from Blyth with the re-arrival of MPDs 1726/32 from Scotland, but these are not yet in evidence. 

Go North East now have VDL SB120 / Wright 8271/2 (NK54NLZ/NKC) in service at Gateshead, joining 8267-70. 

09/12/04

Ian S informed me yesterday that Arriva Durham County have a Transbus Enviro 300 demonstrator on loan at Durham. Neil Wise has subsequently informed me that it is PO54NNM and is in allover white. It carries Arriva and Dunn Line legal lettering. 

John Atkin has provided the above picure showing A1 Coaches (sister company of Abbey Coaches) Mercedes 709 / Alexander IIW4019 freshly refurbished and repainted. 

06/12/04

The Go North East website shows that further new deliveries are of Dennis Alexander Mini Pointer Darts 603-6 (NK54NTX/Y/UA/B), Scania L94UB / Wright 5201/2/4 (NK54NUU/V/X) and VDL SB120 / Wright 8270/1 (NK54NKX/Z). 8270 and previously delivered 8267/8/9 are allocated to Gateshead, with the remainder yet to enter service. Driver trainer 4707 (FTN707W) is also listed as delicenced, apparently after a accident. 

Pete Greensmith tells me that Arriva North East Optare Metrorider 2737 (M453HPG) has suffered engine failure and may not return to use.