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'MAX' X12 was launched in Durham on Tuesday using Gemini 7618 (NK61 EBG). 7620 (NK61 EBL) and 7627 (NK61 EBX) were in service branded yesterday.

Also launched this week yesterday was the increased capacity on the 7 with Enviro400s 7535-7/40 entering service today.

Pulsar 1464 (NK61 CXV) has transferred from Durham to Stockton replacing B10BLE 4502 (V502 DFT).

Full details of this week's vehicle launches:

The entry into service of 7534-7/40 has allowed Pulsars 1517-21 to move to Durham for debranding and rebranding ready for the upgrading of the 24 (Durham-Hartlepool) to Sapphire along with Enviro400s 7538/9. 1517-21, along with new Streetlites 1595-1601, allow Pulsars 1461/2 to transfer to Darlington ready for the increase in full size PVR in the town from 17th May (the 19 joins the 1/5/5a workings), sisters 1409/10/7-24/64 to transfer to Stockton depot (1464 already cascaded) to replace B10BLEs 4501/2/5/6/8/9/12 (4502 already withdrawn, 4512 might possibly transfer back to Redcar depot to replace 4504/1301) and Cadets 1901/5/6 (1902 already withdrawn, 1904 due off anytime soon while 1903 will be due off after the 16th May when the increased PVR with the closure of Leven Valley reverts to normal). 7538/9 are down to replace DB250 7477/8 but they may move to Blyth to replace 7458/66.

The changes to services in Darlington from 17th May sees the aforementioned full size PVR increase on the 1/5/5a/19 cycle and a reduction in the minibus PVR (19 becomes full size, the 14B becomes the 3B and cut back, the 59/X59 is withdrawn, the 75/76 becomes the X75/X76 and stood become Pulsar operated) sees Dart SLF 1305 withdrawn for disposal, 1799 move into the reserve fleet, Solo 2505 for disposal and 2503 to Durham for an increase in their minibus PVR. The third former Classic Solo, 2504, is now withdrawn due to engine issues and was officially replaced by Streetlite 1594. 1593 additional replaced 1794.

(30/04/2015 12:23)kuyoyo Wrote: [ -> ]'MAX' X12 was launched in Durham on Tuesday using Gemini 7618 (NK61 EBG). 7620 (NK61 EBL) and 7627 (NK61 EBX) were in service branded yesterday.

Also launched this week yesterday was the increased capacity on the 7 with Enviro400s 7535-7/40 entering service today.

Pulsar 1464 (NK61 CXV) has transferred from Durham to Stockton replacing B10BLE 4502 (V502 DFT).

I have seen photos on Flickr of MAX Pulsars as well as Geminis on route X12. As the route is being double-decked, are the MAX Pulsars about to move to another route?

(17/05/2015 18:35)Metroline1511 Wrote: [ -> ]I have seen photos on Flickr of MAX Pulsars as well as Geminis on route X12. As the route is being double-decked, are the MAX Pulsars about to move to another route?

No, the MAX Pulsars (1441-3) are based at Stockton, Durham have the deckers (7610/8-20/6/7) along with a single decker spare (1415). X12s are not worked by MAX vehicles on Sundays however due to the interwork method at Stockton (and come the Autumn, one evening X12 Monday to Saturday is likely to be a Sapphire decker).

Darlington's original fleet of Solo (or what is left of them based there) are being repainted into a new variation of Arriva livery ahead of a new town branding being introduced. The first treated is 2851, as seen below.

Arriva North East 2851 (YJ58 CBV) by Tony Kuy, on Flickr

Ex-Yorkshire Volvo B7TL/Alexandr ALX400 W659/64 CWX arrived at Durham depot yesterday. They are due to replace DAF DB250/East Lancs Lowlander 7436-44 (Y686-9/5/91-4 EBR)

(04/06/2015 08:02)kuyoyo Wrote: [ -> ]Ex-Yorkshire Volvo B7TL/Alexandr ALX400 W659/64 CWX arrived at Durham depot yesterday. They are due to replace DAF DB250/East Lancs Lowlander 7436-44 (Y686-9/5/91-4 EBR)

This will mean they are being replaced by older buses! Unless that is the Lowlanders will join similar buses elsewhere.

(06/06/2015 21:05)Metroline1511 Wrote: [ -> ]This will mean they are being replaced by older buses! Unless that is the Lowlanders will join similar buses elsewhere.

There's currently conflicting information - one sources say 8 coming to replace the Lowlanders (which are costing the company far too much to keep going) while another says these are the only 2 coming due to a increase peak requirement at Durham (despite Durham's decker requirement dropping by 2 last month).

(06/06/2015 22:54)kuyoyo Wrote: [ -> ]There's currently conflicting information - one sources say 8 coming to replace the Lowlanders (which are costing the company far too much to keep going) while another says these are the only 2 coming due to a increase peak requirement at Durham (despite Durham's decker requirement dropping by 2 last month).

From what you say, it seems that it is the expense of keeping the Lowlanders going that is behind Arriva's willingness to replace them with older buses.

VDLs takeover from Omnicities on the 685?

The 685 Carlisle <> Newcastle full through journeys are usually worked by 07 reg Scania Omnicities. Today a pair of VDLs passed through Brampton.

VDL 1500 NK12FLM passed the Market Place Brampton eastbound stop at 14.32 on Monday 6th July 2015 working the 14.07 685 Carlisle to Newcastle.
VDL 1413 NK09BRX passed the Market Place Brampton westbound stop at 14.40 on Monday 6th July 2015 working the 12.45 685 Newcastle to Carlisle.