30/07/04
Stagecoach on Teesside have received Leyland Olympian / Northern Counties 14675 (H675BNL) from Sunderland. It wears the new livery and would appear to be replacing 14667 at Stockton.
Peter Barclay tells me that Redby, Sunderland have a second Leyland Olympian / Alexander B350LSO, joining B360LSO.
Richard Keneddy tells me that Go North East have Dennis Dart / Marshall 587 at Chester-le-Street and 582/5 appear to be Deptford bound.
26/07/04
Arriva Nortumbria Leyland Olympian / Roe TPD116X has now enetered service at Blyth as 7263 (presumably CWR514/8Y are 7264/5). I took a ride to Newsham on it (in the interests of scientific study, obviously) and found that it's Leyland TL11 engine and semi auto box made it a complete beast!! Recommended! P Miller tells me that Blyth also have Metrorider 2730 (M444HPF) which along with 2731 are stand-ins for MPDs 1726/31 which are on loan to Scotland West. Metrorider 874 is reported as for scrapping after an accident.
Noted at the Stagecoach on Teesside depot today was Dennis Dart / Alexander 32741 (L741VNL). This is presumably under preparation for Darlington.
24/07/04
Arriva Tees & District Dennis / Plaxton Mini Pointer Dart 1756 (W758SBR) has returned to use at Loftus after a lengthy lay-off for a new engine. It was working service 65 today. Photo courtesy of Marty B.
23/07/04
Further Dennis Dart / Alexander transferred to Stagecoach in Darlington from South Shields are 32712/40/2 (K712PCN, L740/2VNL). A plaxton bodied example in the old livery has also arrived but could not be identified.
Recent movements listed on the Go North East website are of Optare Solo from Chester-le-Street to Percy Main, Dennis Dart / Marshall 577 from Deptford to Chester-le-Street, 592 new to Chester-le-Street, Optare Metrorider 421 from Chester-le-Street to Bishop Auckland and Metroriders 402/6 withdrawn. Sold are Optare Metroriders 365/77/84/8/92/3/5/6, 400/6. These appear to have gone to Houston Ramm (Dealer).
Stuart Gray tells me that Arriva Durham County Optare Metrorider 935 (K726HUG) has now finally come off service and is stored in the shed at Bishop Auckland depot. It is to donate it's gearbox to sister 871 (M871KCU). Also, though officially in reserve, Optare Delta 4004 (G212HCP) continues from Peterlee - I "enjoyed" it on Monday!
Peter Barclay tells me that Redby, Sunderland now have Leyland Olympian / Alexander B360LSO.
Northumbria Coaches Optare Metrorider H135TGO is up for sale on Ebay, as is former Delta Coaches Bristol RE / ECW AHT212J.
19/07/04
Interesting arrivals at Arriva Northumbria are Leyland Olympian / ECW CWR514/8Y and Leyland Olympian / Roe TPD116X from Arriva Scotland West. Notably CWR518Y has Ashington blinds fitted. Optare Metrorider 2731 (M445HPF) is now at Blyth, while sister 2729 (M443HPF) is now with Arriva Durham County at Peterlee.
17/07/04
Stagecoach in South Shields now have their new Dennis/Alexander/Transbus (?!) Darts in service. The remaining Olympians in the 16701-6 series have moved to Walkergate as a result, while Dennis Dart / Alexander 32579/711 (K579NHC, K711PCN) have moved to Darlington.
Added to stock at Phoenix Taxis, Blyth is Mercedes Vario / Plaxton SF53KUW.
Classic, Annfield Plain have repainted Renault Traffic N308NBB for use as a crew bus in Washington.
16/07/04
News kindly passed on by Gary Mitchelhill (from Neil Wise) is that Arriva Durham County now have Leyland (Bristol) Olympian / ECW 7266 (CWR519Y) at Darlington ex Arriva Scotland West to replace newer 7241 (A241GHN). Gary reports that it was working service 723 Darlington - Newcastle today vice a Lowlander! Sister CWR505Y (210 then 7210 then 7211) left Arriva North East / Northumbria fleet strength soime time ago, making this acquisition all the more notable. Elliott Stuffins informs me that Optare Metrorider 2602 (L602FHN) is now with Red Line, Penwortham. Stuart Gray tells meptare Vecta 1541 (L541FHN) has suffered terminal damage to it's Cummins engine, while other Cummins examples are being modified to prevent similar occurrences.
Also with Red Line, though Elliott reports this as only temporary, is former Go North East Leyland Olympian / ECW 3745 (B745GCN).
Abbey Coaches Leyland Tiger / Duple E237MBX has been sraryld and is currently for sale with dealer Houston Ramm.
10/07/04
Stuart Gray tells me that Arriva Durham County Optare Delta 4104 (H266CFT) has been withdrawn, and that Optare Metrorider 935 (K726HUG) will follow later in the month. Other movements see Optare Deltas 4001/4 (G209/12HCP) enter the reserve fleet and Optare Metroriders 752/2620/2 (M752WWR, P620/2FHN) listed for disposal.
Gavin Miller and "Abbey Coaches" tell me that Abbey Coaches J384KVH is a Dennis Javelin / Duple. A refurbished Volvo B10M / Plaxton Paramont has been added to stock, and carries an XJI---- registration. Optare Metroriders M936/40FTN are added to stock ex Go North East. Mercedes 811D M983CYS is reported due for early withdrawal.
03/07/04
Further ex Arriva Kent Metroriders to enter service with Arriva North East are 2727 (M441HPF) at Bishop Auckland, 2732 (M446HPF) at Durham and 2734 (M448HPF) at Richmond. Optare Vecta 1535 (L535FHN) [above] has moved from Loftus to Bishop Auckland, apparently displacing Optare Delta 4092 (G253SRG) to Peterlee, and in turn MPD 1710 (V710DNL) to Durham - the latter was seen on the Durham park and ride today. Neil Wise advises that Olympian 7241 (A241GHN) may finally have been withdrawn.
Abbey Coaches, South Bank have added Optare Metrorider J211BWU to stock ex Compass Bus, Worthing. Not sure if I have logged this one before, but a further Duple 340 (chassis unknown) in stock is J384KVH.
Stagecoach on Teesside now have Volvo B10M / Northern Counties 20267/9 (M707/9KRH) ex Hartelpool. Richard Smiles kindly advises that This year's "Badger Bus" service 401 which serves places of interest around Stockton and Hartlepool will be worked by Stagecoach (whether Hartlepool, Stockton or both) using double deckers. It runs on Mondays and Fridays during the school holidays for those of you wanting to bash some Olympians!
The Go North East website shows that Optare Metroriders 387/91/3/406 have been withdrawn, while Optare Solos 463/5 move from Winlaton to Percy Main, and Volvo Olympians 3904 and 3921 swap depots being at Stanley and Winlaton respectively. Darts 591/4 have entered service at Sunderland, while Olympian 3653 is sold.
02/07/04
Travelsure, Seahouses now have a Scania K113 / Irizar Century carrying registration 648WHK which came of an ex Arriva Tees & District Leyland Tiger / Duple.
Peter Nardone tells me that M&D Travel, Stockton have a 49 seat Berkhof coach in stock registered J23HRH.
The latest Notices and Proceedings show that James Cooper, Annitsford have sucessfully gained a new five vehicle operators licence (their old one being revoked as of 31/07/04), and also shows that all of Go Coastline's services transferred to either Go Wear Buses or Go Gateshead from 30/06/04, bringing an end to the Coastline identity.
01/07/04
Between them, Ian S and Pete Greensmith tell me that Arriva Tees & District have Optare Metrorider 2737 (M453HPG) additionally at Loftus, allowing serivices 62 and 54 to become minibus workings, and resulting in the loss of Optare Vecta 1535 (L535FHN) and Optare Delta 4093 (G254SRG), the latter going to Peterlee.
Stagecoach in Darlington now have Leyland Olympian / Alexander 14186/605/14/31 (G186GHG, C605/14/31LFT) in stock. Also returned is repainted Olympian 13022.
John Atkin and Marty B between them tell me that Stagecoach on Teesside ex Hull Olympians 14633/6 (C633/6LFT) now have Teesside blinds so would appear to be staying. Apparently Olympian 14667 (H667BNL) has suffered at the hands of Albert Bridge.......