29/05/05

Ross Sherwood confirms that the Mercedes 709 / Alexander that Stagecoach in Darlington have is 40791 (N341KKH), which spent much of it's life in Darlington. Similar 40492 (N492RVK) was noted in Stockton depot yesterday, perhaps this is to join 40791? 

J&C, Newton Aycliffe have Volvo B10M / Plaxton G43RGG ex Weardale. 

It can be confirmed that Alrite Travel P420FBC is a Toyota Coaster / Caetano. 

26/05/05

Neil Wise confirms that the third Blackpool Transport Optare Metrorider on loan to Arriva Durham County is N596LFV. The latter is in the black version of the generic Metro coastlines livery, with the other two in the light brown version. 

Ross Sherwood tells me that Stagecoach in Darlington have a Mercedes 709 / Alexander to work former Green Bus service 18 and that a Scania N113 / Alexander and Megabus reserves Leyland Olympian / Alexander 13631 (H492LNA) have turned up at Darlington depot. 

Richard Kennedy has kindly reports all three of Go North East's new Volvo B7TL / Wright as under preparation at Saltmeadows. 

25/05/05

DannySpectra reports that two Blackpool Transport Optare Metroriders have com on loan to Arriva Durham County at Darlington, with another to follow. N589/90GRN are on loan to cover more work taken on with the demise of Green Bus. The remainder of services 48/98 Lingdale - Darlington have moved to Redcar, while a working on each of the 13, 15 and 20 goes to Durham, Bishop Auckland and Stockton respectively. 

Gary Mitchelhill reports that two of the three new Volvo B7TL / Wright for Go North East's service X10 Newcastle - Middlesbrough have arrived. They are 3941/3 (NK05GZO/R), with 3942 (NK05GZP) to follow. 

Gary also reports that Jayline, Horden have a former Stagecoach Mercedes minibus in stock carring fleetnumber "NAP" - identity to be confirmed. 

John Atkin reports that Alrite, Middlesbrough have Iveco 49-10 / Onyx P2KDS and P420FBC, a 21 seater of unconfirmed type. 

22/05/05

Neil Wise tells me that Green Bus, Darlington have ceased to operate completely as of last night. No doubt there will be many fun and games as/if Darlington Borough Council find alternative operators for the remaining contracts that Green Bus held. 

It would appear that Compass Royston, Stockton are trying to increase the amount of rail replacement work that they undertake to judge by the appearance of two coaches on Manchester - Chester replacements today and others on services in Yorkshire and beyond in recent weeks. 

Former M&D Travel, Thornaby Mercedes 609 F282GNB is currently for sale on ebay. This has been replaced by more up to date Mercedes Vario V670DAO. 

Also for sale on ebay is one time Go North East MCW Metrobus 3534 (GYE381W). Meanwhile, the Go North East website shows the transfer of Optare Delta 4759-61 (K759-61RBB) from Washington to Winlaton (with three 638 workings) and Dennis Dart / Plaxton 8114/5 (M814/5HCU) from Chester-le-Street to Washington. 

20/05/05

Gary Mitchelhill tells me that Arriva Durham County have refurbished DAF SB220 / Plaxton 4061 (S703KFT) back in service at Durham. It has green moquette and LED destination. 

Neil Wise tells me that Procters, Bedale have a new Cummins-engined Optare Solo Slimline 07 (MX05EMV). 

18/05/05

Neil Wise tells me that as of tomorrow (19/05/05)Green Bus, Darlington will cease to operate daytime contract serices 17A/C, 97, evening/sunday 16A, 26, 74 and morning 20, 21, 24. These will be operated under short term contract by Arriva Durham County until 11/06/05. As a result Darlington now have Optare Metrorider 2733 (M447HPF) from reserve and Mini Pointer Dart 1739 (V739DNL) from Ashington. Consequently one 98/48 diagram and one X99/49 diagram pass to Arriva Tees & District at Redcar along with DAF SB220 / Plaxton 4056 (S356KHN) and Optare Delta 4106 (F701ECC). 

Gary Mitchelhill tells me that Stagecoach in Newcastle have received at least one more Designline Olymbus. 

14/05/05

A big thank you to Gary Mitchelhill for alterting me to the arrival at Stagecoach in Newcastle's Walkergate depot of a second Designline Olymbus. This one is painted allover yellow, with all ten expected to be used on a Quayside shuttle service in a yellow and green livery. 

James Ingram tells me that Arriva Tees & District again have Volvo B10M / East Lancs 2873 (H925XYT) at Loftus. He also reports that Optare Vecta 1528 (L528FHN) is back at Loftus, while sisters 1512/3 (K512/3BHN) are the latest failures. 

13/05/05

Neil Wise tells me that Green Bus, Darlington have had former Dennis, Manchester Dennis Dart / Wright K857PCN in use. This was of course new to Go Ahead and was being stored by Green Bus on behalf of Ensign Bus. It is also understood that Green Bus are to give up certain contracted services shortly. 

10/05/05

A corrected Arriva North East / Northumbria allocation sheet has been issued, with the temporary reallocation of Scania N113 / NCME 7251/7 (L160GYL, N182OYH) from Alnwick to Jesmond no longer figuring. The MPD that has gone for refurbishment is corrected as 1707 (V707DNL), while I understand that this has been joined by DAF SB220 / Plaxton 4065 (S707KFT). Something I forgot to mention earlier was the sawp of Darlington's Opate Metrorider 2711/6 (R711/6MHN) for Ashington's MPDs 1736/8 (V736/8DNL). Colin Davidson reports that 2716 has in fact been working for Alnwick, and that Leyland Lynx driver trainer 9992 (H339UWT) is now in use at Ashington. Gary Mitchelhill reports the following vehicles extant at Dixon's scrapyard, Annfield Plain on 07/05/05: Leyland Olyampian / ECW 7214/64/7 (WDC214Y, CWR514Y, A567NWX), Optare Delta 4004/84 (G210HCP, G785PWL), Leyland Tiger / Duple 218 (F189HKK) and Optare Metrorider 935 (K726HUG), while burnt-out scania 286 (N286NCN) was about to be cut-up. 

04/05/05

The latest Arriva North East / Northumbria allocation sheets make for interesting reading. Highlights are the acquisition of a further Leyland Lynx from Arriva Scotland West as 5021 for Durham (beleived to be J371YWX) and the temporary reallocation of Scania N113 / NCME 7251/7 (L160GYL, N182OYH) from Alnwick to Jesmond without replacment - have Jesmond temporarily taken on a couple of 518 diagrams I wonder? Notably MPD 1710 (V710DNL) is off for refurbishment, while Delta 4004 (G212HCP) and Vecta 1518 (K518BHN) have gone to Dixon, Annfield Plain (who's yard was referred to previously). Mark Gibbon informs me that Leyland Lynx Trainer 9988 is currently working at Stockton rather than Ashington, while Optare Vecta 1507 (K507BHN) is to receive a new MAN engine and sister 1558 (K140RYS) is progressing slowy towards a return to use. For fuller details of what is happening with Arriva North East / Northumbria I recommend joining the United Enthusiasts' Club. 

02/05/05

I understand that Stagecoach on Teesside Leyland Olympian / Alexander 14180/1 (G180/1JHG) have been removed from service and stored in the "Flowers" shed at Stockton depot. D Taylor reports that ex Stockton Mercedes 709 / Alexander 40791 (N341KKH) is now repainted and in use at Slatyford.