31/05/03

Arriva Tees & District's Stokesley depot closed for good after operation today. Five enthusiasts were present to see Metrorider 752 and MPD 1716 locked away for the last time at around 7pm.

Arriva Durham County services 216 and 234 also ended today, replaced from Monday by new service 214. This will be dart worked (thanks to Ian S for this) while the 215 will be MPD worked. Indeed 1708 is already at Peterlee. Optare Vecta 1548 has been reinstated at Bishop Auckland, displacing Dart 1630 to Darlington (Thanks Stuart!).

Abbey Coaches have repainted Mercedes 709 / Alexander E512PVV yellow.

24/05/03

New at Jayline, Horden is Optare Solo YDD (MX03YDD). Large fleetnumbers are now carried.

I have been informed that Arriva Tees & District Optare Vectas 1512/35 (K512BHN, L535FHN) are the latest to suffer engine failure.

18/05/03

Rainbow Coaches, Billingham have added Volvo B10M / Plaxton 9569KM to stock.

17/05/03

Arriva Northumbria Leyland Olympians 7206/9 (E228WBG, F242YTJ) now have fixed blinds for the 446 and 391 Blyth town services respectively. Sister 7204 (F244YTJ) has been reported with Warrington Borough Transport, though it has since been reported that it was rejected as being unsuitable!

Graeme Scarlett kindly advises that Grahams of Shildon Dodge S56 / Alexander D256NCS was a temporary purchase to cover for F444GAT. Indeed Stephen Oliver has noted the vehicle for sale on ebay!

13/05/03

Mark Gibbon and Neil wise kindly inform me that Arriva Optare Metrorider 893 (P893XCU) has moved to Stockton, displacing 870 (M870KCU) to Richmond.

11/05/03

News kindly supplied by Richard Smiles is that Abbotts of Leeming will take over operation of services 80/89 Stokesley - Northallerton from 02/06/03. Given Abbotts varied and interesting fleet it will be interesting to see what they use.

09/05/03

Arriva Tees & District DAF SB3000 / Plaxton 1208 (V208DJR) has been repainted in a smart new version of Arriva livery. Arriva Teesside Optare Vecta 1544 (L544GHN) has returned to service with it's Cummins B engine, while Arriva Durham County Dennis Darts 1605/6 (R685/606MHN) have joined their sisters in the North West.

Abbey Coaches Optare Metrorider H176WWT has been reregistered VIL6938. The Plaxton bodied Tiger recently added to stock is identified as WJI5239

Grahams, Shildon have Dodge S56/Alexander D256NCS in stock, ex Taxico of Cheadle (Staffs). It remains in Taxico's smart blue and white livery.

Breaking the previous minibus mould at CMC, Middlesbrough are Volvo B10M / Van Hool OAL710 and B10M / Plaxton G518LWU.

04/05/03

Graeme Scarlett of Graham's Handybus of Shildon has issued a press release stating that he has acuired The Eden operating name from Arriva. Read the press release here

Both Neil Wise and Mark Gibbon have confirmed that Arriva Northumbria driver training Lynx 9989 is on loan to Arriva Scotland West for approx six weeks along with two instructors, to aid their driver training programme.

03/05/03

A further withdrawn Leyland Olympian to be removed from Arriva Northumbria's Ashington depot is 7309 (F309JTY). Only 7307 (F307JTY) remains stored. Elliot Stuffins has advised me that Stafford bus Centre are advertising six or seven each of the ex MTL and F--JTY Olympians for sale. Indeed 7207 (E229WBG) is now with Northern Blue, Burnley. Ex London Scanias 7257/8 (N182/3OYH) are now both at Ashington. Leyland National driver trainer 9999 (GSU347) is again at Ashington, reports on the various yahoogroups suggesting it has displace Lynx 9989 (G511EAJ) to Scotland!