19/06/04

Further Transbus (Alexander Dennis?!) Darts have been delivered for Stagecoach in South Shields. Numbering has now been applied, such that those arrived so far comprise 34605-12 (NK04NPF/J/N/P/U/V/X/Y). All remain stored at Wheatsheaf.

Stagecoach in Newcastle are receiving 7 Volvo Olympian / Northern Counties from Northampton (cheers to Elliot Stuffins for letting me know!). They are 16431-7 (VLT255, WLT512/24/682/908, 647/85DYE) of which 16436 (647DYE) was noted on the road, albeit not in service, today. Their arrival would seem to support rumours that Scania N113 / Alexander 15301-10 (H421-30BNL) could be headed to Manchester - watch this space!

Ross Sherwood kindly confirms that Stagecoach in Darlington now also have Dennis Dart / Alexander 32303/616 (N303AMC, P616PGP). Darlington based Leyland Olympian / Northern Counties 13022 (A22HNB) has been repainted at Sunderland and is now resplendent in swoops. Richard Smiles kindly informs me that Volvo B6s withdrawn are Plaxton bodied 30102/5/7/8 (L102GHN, M105/7/8PVN) and Alexander bodied 30243/9 (L443/9CCK).

Noted today with Stagecoach on Teesside is ex Walkergate Leyland Olympian / Alexander 14192 (H192WFR). Also present are Hull Leyland Olympian / Alexander 14633/6 (C633/6LFT). 14636 at least still has Hull blinds, so it is not clear whether they are staying or just present for maintenance. Both, incidentally, look rather smart in swoops. Richard Smiles informs me that Lynxes 29615/7 (G615/7CEF) have gone to Stagecoach South Midlands, wile Titan 10840 (A840SUL) has been taken out of service, beleived to be an engine failure victim.

Peter Tuck tells me that Weardale, Stanhope now have a fourth ex Lothian Leyland Olympian / ECW, in the shape of C793SFS.

Analysis of the Go North East website shows that MPDs 8191/6/7 (V191/6/7ERG) have moved from Deptford to Winlaton with 8199 (V199ERG) mysteriously returning to Deptford from Winlaton. Optare Solos 458/9 (T458/9SCN) move from Chester-le-Street to Percy Main, while Volvo Olympians 3903 and 3914 hjave swapped depots now being at Stanley and South shields respectively. Optare Metroriders 409/13 (N409/13NTN) have moved from Percy Main to Winlaton and Deptford respectively, while sisters 361/85/8/90/2/5 (K361SCN, L385/8/90/3FTY, L935WTY) are withdrawn. Stanley have lost MCW Metrobus 3648 (A648BCN) and Leyland Olympian / ECW 3660 (C660LJR), the latter going to Bishop Auckland. Darts 588/9 are in service at Deptford, while Deptford gain Volvo Olympian 3898 in exchange for Delta 4742 now at Washington. Sold are Olympian / ECW 3653/741/3 (C653LJR, B741/2GCN) and Nationals 4683/700 (UPT683V, FTN700W).

Ian S has kindly informed me that Arriva Durham County's Peterlee depot is to take Durham's only working on services 230/242. For this Optare Delta 4090 (G251SRG) is expected to be transferred in the short term, with 4092 (G253SRG) replacing it later. Metrorider 752 (M752WWR) is due to be replaced by an ex Kent example.

14/06/04

The Dennis Darts withdrawn from Hartlepool when the new Dart SLFs arrived are now arriving at Stagecoach in Darlington to replace Volvo B6s. Noted today were 32301/3/615/7 (N301/3AMC, P615/7PGP).

Noted at the Wheatsheaf today were a trio of new Transbus Dart SLFs for Stagecoach in South Shields. NK04NPF/J/N have yet to have fleetnumbers or names applied. Also present were recently repatriated Dennis Darts 32774/5 (N774/5RVK), freshly repainted and with South Shields fleetnames. South Shields Lynx stock in now just 29109 (F109HVK) operational, with 29117 (F117HVK) seemingly immovable at the rear of the main shed at south shields - then only bus still present today while roof works were being undertaken on that shed. Mercedes 709 / Alexander 40488 (N488RVK) is also active at South Shields.

Additional Dennis Dart / Marshall in service with Go Wear buses at Sunderland are 588/93 (T413/24AGP).

11/06/04

Abbey Coaches, South Bank have reregistered Mercedes 709 / Alexander E512PVV to IIW4019, the latter mark coming off a Bedford / Plaxton coach. Also not previously noted is LDV Sherpa X363DBT. John Atkin tells me that they also have a further DAF / Duple J384KVH.

Compass Royston now have new Optare Solo MX04VLV in use on the 751 Easington - Brotton service.

Added to stock at Richardsons, Hartlepool is Mercedes 811D / Plaxton YOI2642.

10/06/04

A large group of Arriva North East drivers, including at least one of my regular informants, is off down to Arriva's depot in Gillingham this weekend to bring back 17 Optare Metroriders. Given that there is no great shortage of minibuses here, the reason for their coming in unclear, though Blyth's Mercedes Varios perhaps look vulnerable.

D Taylor tells me that Stagecoach in Newcastle have an additional Dennis Dart / Alexander 32650.

Good news from Terry Wightman is that former Northern Bristol VRT / ECW 3435 (SGR935V) is now in the care of the Northern General preservation group. It had been in use with Eminox showing the credentials of it's Greencat filtered exhaust system (white hanky tests!). Terry has a selection of photos of it on the journey home on his fotopic site http://3469.fotopic.net/

Graeme Scarlett of The Eden is looking for some electronic ticket machines. Anyone who knows where he can lay his hands on either Wayfarer Saver, Wayfarer 2 or AES Datafare machines is invited to get in touch. He can be contacted at Theeden@aol.com or by phone on 07754434228

06/06/04

I don't normally mention preserved buses, but admiration is due to the Blackman family (of Halifax Joint Committee fame) for their restoration of AEC Bridgemaser P livery of Lockeys, St Helens Auckland.

Arriva Northumbria's Alnwick depot was today treating it's Sunday 518 passengers to Leyland Olympian / ECW 7244 (A244GHN). Very nice!

Noted at Stagecoach in Sunderland's Wheatsheaf depot today was freshly arrived Dennis Dart / Alexander 32652 (N352YNC).

05/06/04

A bizarre one for you all. Former Arriva Durham County MCW Metrobus 619 (A930SUL) is withdrawn for cannibalisation at Jesmond. However, it has had all of it's windows smashed and has had new pannelling with "fake" lights added where parts have been removed. I can only assume it is to be used to display rescue techniques, unless anyone has any better ideas?

Arriva Tees & District Volvo B10M / East Lancs 2873 has now entered service at Loftus unrepainted. Redcar's 2879 is due into service as soon as type training has taken place.

Mark Gibbon tells me that Arriva Teesside Optare Vecta 1521 (L521FHN) is off the road after gearbox failure, while DAF SB220 / Ikarus 4108 (L532EHD) will re-enter service very soon as it now has a new engine.

Arriva Northumbria have fitted CCTV to two of their Jesmond based Metrobuses (and not the Cummins engined ones either!), which would suggest that they will remain in stock for a good while longer.

John Atkin has provided the above photo taken by Campbell Morrison (and thanks to Campbell for permission to use it) of this Transbus Enviro 300 in Go North East livery, seen at Transbus Falkirk. It is not clear if this is a demonstrator or something more permenant.

04/06/04

Ian S confirms that MPD 1701 (T701RCN) is now working for the Peterlee depot of Arriva Durham County.

Peter Tuck tells me that Weardale Motor Services have a third ex Lothian Olympian, C779SFS.

Gavin Miller tells me that Abbey Coaches Leyland Leopard / Plaxton WSV517 (ex EWW212T) is back in use after a period laid up, and FIW5399 is under repaint.

A couple of snippets from the N&Ps; James Cooper, Annitsford have had their licence revoked as of 31/07/04, Continental Coaches had thiers revoked without a public enquiry, and Arriva will be changing many services in Durham from the end of June.