29/11/04
The Go North East website shows that three of the seven new VDL SB120 / Wright have been delivered as 8267-9 (NK54NKT/U/W). Volvo B10M coaches 7060/1 have regained original registrations N760/1RCU, with 7090/1 becoming CU6860/7661.
Pete Greensmith tells me that Abbey Coaches, South Bank now have ex Stagecoach Busways Lynx F106HVK.
28/11/04
Northumbria Coaches, Ashington acquired at least another two Optare Metroriders from Aston, Killamarsh. R94HUA was noted in service yesterday, while H170WWT is for sale on eBay.
Also for sale on eBay is former Go Wear Buses Leyland Lynx F726LRG, which currently resides with Chesters, Walkden.
Added to stock at Rainbow Coaches, Billingham is Mercedes Vario / Optare FX51BJK.
As noted in the N&Ps, a couple of north east independent operators invited to public inquiries are Rush Travel, Seaton Burn and Compass Royston, Stockton.
25/11/04
Ian S brings the sad news that Arriva Durham County are to withdraw Leyland Olympian / ECW 7214 (WDC214Y) this weekend after just 21 years service. I have put together a small set of photos of 7214 - click here
22/11/04
Stuart Gray reports that Arriva Durham County Optare Vecta 1540 (L540FHN) has suffered engine failure and is expected to gain a Cummins engine. Olympian 7285 (G762UYT) has also gone away from Bishop Auckland for repairs.
The Go North East website shows Volvo B6 / Alexander 8417 (M417PVN) has been reinstated to Bishop Auckland.
If you right click and save the target of this link you will be able to down load a video taken on board Arriva Northumbria TL11 engined Olympian 7263 (TPD116X). Note that the video pictures (these are only of a seat!) have been made very poor quality to keep the file size down to 328kb, though the sound is still pretty good - and that's the point of this clip!
20/11/04
Arriva Northumbria have received Volvo Olympian 7424 (M688HPF) back off loan from Arriva Yorkshire. Tomorrow's service changes look likely to see some vehicle and operational movements. A suprise working for most of the morning was of Alnwick Tiger 214 (XSV691) on Ashington service 35!
Richard Kennedy reprots that ex Go North East Leyland Olympian / ECW 3654 (C654LJR) has joined 3612 (SJR612Y) as a promotional vehicle for Sunderland FC.
19/11/04
Ross Sherwood confirms that Stagecoach in Darlington's fifth Lynx II is 29630 (K630YVN) and that this looks to have replaced 29611 (G611CEF).
Gary Mitchelhill reprots that three ex Go North East Optare Excels are expect at Blackpool Transport in January.
Anth tells me that withdrawn Stagecoach on Teesside Scania N113 / Alexander 28929/37 (H429/37CFT) are about to re-enter service at Walkergate depot in Newcastle.
Ross Sherwood confirms that one of the two additional Leyland Lynx IIs now at Stagecoach in Darlington is 29627 (K627YVN).
The Go North East website shows the arrival of Volvo B12M / Plaxton 7090/1. A fleeting glipse of these on Saturday as I passed Chester-le-Street depot on the X6 suggested that these were of the more stylish Paragon style rather than the Panther (or are those names the wrong way round?!) Listed as sold are Optare Excels 8137/41 (R837/41NRG) and Leyland Olympian / ECW 3654 (C654LJR).
Peter Barclay brings a welcome update on Redby, Sunderland. Leyland Lynx F603UVN has entered service in white livery, while G37VME is also repainted white. He also advises that Leyland Titan fans should try service 14A between 11.30am and 2pm on schooldays.
15/11/04
Peter Greensmith reports that Abbey Coaches, South Bank have a third Leyland Titan NUW634Y joining NUW643/8Y.
13/11/04
Richard Smiles reports that Stagecoach on Teesside have re-opened their paintshop and that MAN 18.220 / Alexander 22669 (V669DDC) is being repainted therein.
Arriva Northumbria Optare Metroriders 863/88/99 (M863KCU, N192RVK, P58XTN) remain in use at Jesmond.
Former Go North East Leyland Lynx F731LRG was noted in use with Red Kite, St Helens yesterday.
06/11/04
Stagecoach on Teesside have received Dennis Dart / Plaxton 32748 (L748VNL) from Sunderland. This would appear to be operating as a minibus replacement - none of the Mercedes 709Ds have been seen this weekend.
The latest movements at Arriva North East / Northumbria Nwill see Mercedes O405 / Wright 3026 (L100SBS) return to Redcar (having never made it into the driver training school) in exchange for Optare Vecta 1504 (K504BHN). Optare Delta 4004 (G212HCP) comes off at Peterlee, while Optare Metroriders 863/87/8 (M863KCU, N887RTN, N192RVK) come off service at Jesmond now that service 335 North Shields - West Moor has been withdrawn. (Note that 888 never made it to Hexham!) 899 (P58XTN) will transfer to Hexham instead.
Go North East have reinstated Optare Deltas 4735/45 (G735/45RTY) at Deptford.
06/11/04
With the arrival of the ex Sunderland B10Ms at Stagecoach on Teesside it would appear that the final Scanias (hooray) and mk II Lynxes (boo) have been taken out of service. Ross Sherwood reports that two additional mk II Lynxes have arrived at Darlington. One of these will almost certainly replace the final mk I 29611 (G611CEF) which is working schools services.
There have been some more movements and happenings at Arriva North East. Volvo B10M / East Lancs 2873 (H925XYT) is again operating at Darlington. Marty B reports that DAF SB220 / Plaxton 4038 (R438RPY) caught fire at Marton Southern Cross this morning, while Stuart Gray reports that Olympian 7285 (G762UYT) is off the road after engine failure. Optare Vectas 1517/41 (K517BHN, L541FHN) are back in service. Teesside enthusiasts should also note that Arriva no longer issue or accept the All Zone Dayrider or the All Zone Dayrider Plus.
Go Northern currently have Chester-based Dennis Trident 3801 (V801EJR) back at it's old home of Bishop Auckland to work the 724 while other Tridents are out of service.
D Taylor reports that Classic now have Nexus U-Call Renault 48201(GJ02LVT) ex Stagecoach.
01/11/04
Fleet changes recorded on the Go North East website show that Dennis Trident 3869 has moved from Chester-le-Street to Percy Main. This will presumably help offset the loss of further Optare Excels 8134/5/42 (R834/5NRG, R242OCU) from the fleet (8134/5 having been Percy Main vehicles). Also sold aptare Deltas maiss be reinstated to allow further Optare Excels to be sold off.
Neil Wise tells me that Arriva Northumbria have sold DAF SB3000 / Van Hool 141 (V141DJR) - apparently to a Liverpool area operator.