31/07/05
Neil Wise reports that Arriva Durham County held a launch for the new Durham fleet, under the "Viva Durham" banner, at the Durham County Cricket Ground in Chester-le-Street on Friday. All eleven MPDs, eleven of the fourteen Scanias and both Volvo B7TLs were present. Tomorrow should be the first full day of operation for the new fleet and promises to be interesting. Neil also reports that three more Dennis Dart SLF / Plaxton will leave Darlington next week, these being 1620/9/30 (S620/9/30KHN).
27/07/05
Dave reports further new Arriva Durham County Scania Omnicities as NK05GWA/F/G. Those delivered so far have been numbered 4647-53 (NK05GXA-G) - looks like the existing Scanias with Northumbria and Scotland West will fill in from 4601-45 upon renumbering. I beleive the latest Dart to leave the fleet is 1628 (S628KHN), with sister 1627 (S627KHN) due to follow.
Something I forgot to post earlier, is the identies of the Mercedes Vario / Plaxton at Arriva Tees & District's Loftus depot. They are R797DUB, S823MCC, S352PGA, but the only one noted with a fleetnumber is 2666 (S823MCC).
Tony Walshaw has provided an excellent report on Compass Royston, Stockton. Vehicles in use on Tall Ships duties are Bristol VR / ECW MOU746R, BUH235V, PAG513/4/7W, Leyland Atlantean / Alexander EJR107W (now semi-automatic and with new engine), Leyland Atlantean / Roe AUP350W (with new gearbox), Optare Solo MX04VLV and a Mercedes Sprinter demonstrator, plus a selection of coaches on standby. Leyland Leopard / Duple 322XTJ is off the road for acciodent repairs, while unique ex Delta Leyland Tiger / Padane FIL8694 has finally daparted for scrap from the premisis.
26/07/05
Reports from Ray barber show that Arriva Durham County have now lost Dennis Dart SLF / Plaxton 1622 (S622KHN) with Vario R110GNW coming to the North East in exchange - allocation to be confirmed. Sister R798DUB will be the next.Dave reports the arrival of further new Scania Omnicities for Arriva Durham County at Jesmond depot. They are NK05GXD/E.
I passed four former Go North East Leyland Olympian / ECW of Johnsons or Hodthorpe / Redfern Travel heading north on the A1 on Sunday. Gary Scott confirms that these are on Park and Ride duties for the Tall ships in Newcastle.
John Atkin tells me that Abbey Coaches, Middlesbrough are again preparing Leyland National VIW6243 for a return to service.
24/07/05
The new Scania Omnicities for Arriva Durham County have begun to arrive. NK05GXB/C have both been noted at Jesmond and rather fine do they look! Neil Wise tells me that he took Optare Metrorider 596 (N596LFV) back to Blackpool today.
Arriva Northumbria MCW Metrobus 601 (BYX210V), which was recently withdrawn after catching fire (relatively minor damage) is now under cannibalisation at Jesmond. Also noteworthy, Jesmond are operating the X60 Newcastle - Scarborough this year with Volvo Olympians, unlike last year where Blyth operated it with Scania L113s.
A number of contract changes took place around Stockton-on-Tees today. Arriva Teesside Mini Pointer Dart 1745 (V745ECU) is seen on the final 551 out of Billingham yesterday, the service passing to Leven Valley tomorrow and Compass Royston hired-in Solo MX04VMH seen on the first working of service 556 this morning, taken over from Stagecoach. Tony Walshaw informs me that this and the other Solo in use with Compass Royston are to be replaced by new accessible Mercedes Sprinters, similar to the one recently demonstrated here.
Tall Ships, Tall Ships and more Tall Ships! - The tall ships are visiting Newcastle from 25/07/05 to 29/07/05, while ships have visited Whitby, Middlesbrough and Hartlepool over recent days en-route. Much bus interest has resulted and will result - see below:
To provide extra buses to operate a park and ride in Whitby Arriva Tees & District have borrowed Leyland Lynx II 5017 (J657UHN) and Mini Pointer Dart 1706 (V706DNL) from Arriva Durham County - thanks to James Ingram for the tip-off. 5017 was used on the X56 and 28, and proved to be highly suited to Loftus routes (in my opinion, anyway!)
The Fraser Eagle-organised Park & Ride services start tommorrow. Tony Walshaw tells me that Compass Royston will be taking part with Bristol VRs (nice!) and some other vehicles, while a large number of stagecoach Olympians are being assembled. Additionally City Sightseeing is expected to be stepped up and the Stagecoach Designline Olymbuses are all now out on the road initially proividing a free service for the event.
22/07/05
The trio of Scanias that Arriva Northumbria have at Blyth (on loan?) from Scotland are confirmed as the following types - 504 (M104RMS) Scania L113CRL / Alexander Strider B51F, 512 (M112RMS) Scnia N113CRL / East Lancs MaxCi and 517 (M117RMS) Scania L113CRL / East Lancs European. John Hart has kindly ped the above photo of 512 in Blyth.
Reports from Neil Wise and others appear to show that Arriva Tees & Dirstict have received three Mercedes Vario / Plaxton at Loftus from Arriva North West & Wales (identities to be confirmed), with DAF SB220 / Plaxton 4024/52/82 (R424RPY, S352KHN, V653LWT) going to Darlington to repace Darts 1609/10/4/23 (R609MHN, S610/4/23KHN) which have gone West in exchange for the Varios. However, it should be noted that some of these IDs are to be confirmed and further movements are expected.
I would also advise any fans of Arriva North East & Northumbria's Leyland Olympian / ECW (non-London) or Roe and Leyland Tigers to make the most of them over the next week or so - if my maths is correct there is likely to be little need for them once the new Durham buses are in use and all of the Varios have come from North West.
Craig Bell and Colin Davidson have noted that Northumbria Coaches now also have ex Green Bus MPDs KV51KZK/L in use, while John Hart has provided the above photo of W769URP. Craig also reports that a third ex Stagecoach Volvo B10M / Plaxton is in stock, this being L588HSG which was recently used in Carlisle after the floods.
16/07/05
Between them, Colin Davidson, David "TopJet" and Craig Bell report that Arriva Northumbria have a trio of Scotland West Scanias at Blyth (possibly only on loan). Reported are Alexander bodied 504 (M104RMS) and East Lancs bodied 512/7 (M112/7RMS).
Neil Wise tells me that today Arriva Durham County had some Lowlanders on special duties for Durham County show, so borrowed Leyland Olympian / ECW 7215/7 (D155/65FYM) from Jesmond for the 723.
15/07/05
David "TopJet" and Gary Mitchelhill report that Arriva Northumbria have a second Mercedes Vario / Plaxton in service at Blyth. This one is 2658 (S822MCC) and is B27F. This has dispalced Metrorider 873 (M873LBB) to Richmond, though as reported by Neil Wise, this is operating in Darlington at the moment.
Andrew Tyldsley reports that Arriva Durham County DAF SB220 / Plaxton 4073 (S715KRG) is the latest to return from refurbishment.
Colin Davidson reports that Northumbria Coaches have a further ex Green Bus Mini Pointer Dart - KV51KZK.
13/07/05
David "TopJet" reports that Arriva Northumbria Mercedes Vario / Plaxton R794DUB has entered service at Blyth and is B31F. He reports it as 2688, though it is understood that this is correctly 2668.
Brian Robertson reports that Arriva Durham County Leyland / ECW 7301 (C263XEF) has gone to Dixon, Annfield Plain for scrap.
Brian Robertson also reports that Badger, Pallion now have DAF SB2305 / Duple F27HNC ex Acklams, Beverley.
The Go North East website shows that Leyland Olympian / ECW 3672/3 (C672/3LJR) have bowed out at Bishop Auckland, while Alexander bodied 3676 (G676TCN) has come off at Percy Main.
The Eden, Bishop Auckland have sold Mercedes 609 LIL2176 on ebay. Thanks to James Ingram for spotting this.
11/07/05
Neil Wise reports that Arriva Northumbria have received Mercedes Vario / Plaxton R794DUB from Arriva Cymru. This has displaced Optare Metrorider 872 (M872LBB) to Richmond, displacing Optare Delta 4021 (L421FHN) to Darlington and in turn allowing Dennis Dart SLF / Plaxton 1619 (S619KHN) to Arriva North West & Wales. This is apprently the first of 18 Varios for Arrive North East and Northumbria, for which Dennis Darts will be going in exchange. This combined with the effects of "Overdrive" at Durham should ensure plentiful allocation changes over the coming weeks. Darts 1609/10 (R609MHN, S610KHN) are expected to depart in the next two days.
Colin Davidson reports that Northumbria Coaches, Ashington have former Stagecoach Bluebird Volvo B10M / Plaxton Interurban K564GSA, K572DFS.
10/07/05
Northumbria Coaches, Ashington now have former Green Bus Dennis / Plaxton MPD W769URP in full fleet livery.
09/07/05
Further Arriva Durham County DAF SB220 / Plaxtons refurbished are 4066/8 (S708/10KFT), both seen on the X1 in Stockton this afternoon. So far these, sisters 4060-2/5 (S702-4/7KFT) and MPDs 1706/7 (V706/7DNL) have been done in preparation for the Durham relaunch on 31/07/05. This combined with some service changes is expected to start an extensive chain of vehicle movements - watch this space!
Neil Wise reports that Arriva Durham County have sent Optare Metroriders 589/90 (N589/90GRN) back to Blackpool, while Native 2713 (R713MHN) has gone to Ashington. It was noted in Ashington depot today minus route branding. While on the subject of Ashington, Arriva Northumbria Leyland Olympian / ECW 7244 (A244GHN) is now stored here, with blinds and fleetnames removed (possible onward sale?) while sister 7265 (CWR518Y) is being cannibalised. Failed Tiger 215 (YSU870) has vanished.
New at Phoenix, Blyth is Mercedes Vario / Plaxton NK05OFZ.
08/07/05
Craig Bell reports the identities of the previously unidentified Stagecoach in Newcastle Designline Olymbuses as 61007/10 (NK05RWL, PXH) and reports that 61008 is NK05RWU in correction to what was previously reported.
I have had reports from a variety of people (thanks to all of you!) about the arrival of new buses for Arriva Durham County at Durham. Noted so far are AlexanderDennis Mini Pointer Darts NK05GWA/C-G/J/M-O/U (presumably 1763-73, though I have had a report that there could be one registered GWB yet to arrive) and Volvo B7TL / Alexander 7445/6 (NK05GWX/Y). The B7TLs and last five Darts are stored at Hexham, the others at Peterlee.
Gary Mitchelhill reports that Arriva Northumbria Leyland Olympian / ECW 7244 (A244GHN) was withdrawn after service yesterday on expiry of it's MOT. I also have a report that Arriva Durham County sister 7242 (A242GHN) is also withdrawn (to be confirmed).
06/07/05
A further Volvo B10M / Alexander now with Stagecoach in Sunderland from South Shields is 20116 (N216LTN). Thanks to Sam Edmondsoa Northumbrian for this report.
Ross Sherwood reports that Stagecoach in Darlington now have Mercedes 709 / Alexander 40092 (K492FFS).
Gary Mitchelhill gives the following identities for the Stagecoach in Newcastle Designline Olymbuses - Note that 61001 is the former 80009, while the former 61001 previously seen is now understood to be 61005 - 61001-6/8/9 (VX04MZG, NK05PXM, RWO, OFM, PXL, RWV, PXJ). Identities of 61007/10 to be confirmed.
02/07/05
Further Volvo B10M / Alexander now with Stagecoach in Sunderland from South Shields are 20703/23/9 (K703/23/9DAO), noted from a combination of my own sightings and rehillports kindly provifded by Sam Edmondson.
Neil Wise advises that Arriva Durham County cease to operate former Green Bus services 17A/C and 97 after today, but will retain service 19. Presumably this will mean that the Blackpool Metroriders will be on their way home soon.
A new City Sightseeing tour of Durham is to begin on 18/07/05. MCW Metrobus A722UOM was today being used for publicity at Durham County Hall, carrying City Sightseeing North East logos, fleetnumber 322 and Stagecoach fleetnumber 15922.