Arriva North East

[kuyoyo]

RE: Arriva North East
As above, the long-awaited 6 Volvo B9TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 2s (some of the last examples built) arrived at Thorntons during the week. The registration are as followed:

7401 NK64 FSF
7402 NK64 FSG
7403 NK64 FSJ
7404 NK64 FSL
7405 NK64 FSN
7406 NK64 FSO

Additionally, the 3 ex-demonstrator MAN EcoCitys entered service today on the 21 (Darlington-Peterlee). They are numbered as followed:

4812 WX61 FXO
4813 WX61 HSL
4814 WX13 GHN

Please note that 4812/3 are based on the MAN A22 chassis while 4814 is the same as the production examples on the A69 (or 18.270) chassis.

Streetlites 1579/80 entered service at Ashington depot during the week - along with 1581, these carry branding for the 35 (Morpeth-Newbiggin) with no mention of the 35A (Morpeth-Newbiggin Woodhorn) which they are to be found on during the week (weekday 35s interwork with the college service 100, so all 35/100 workings are booked for DAF DB250s). Sisters 1574-8 officially debut on the 23 (Sunderland-Peterlee-Hartlepool) tomorrow however 1575/8 have both been used on the U1 in the last few weeks. As such, this just leaves MAX-specification examples 1590-4 to be delivered (due in January with Euro6 engines) and the 2014/5 order is complete.

9 Alexander Dennis Enviro200s are in the process of being transferred to the diversion from Southern Counties. These are their 4071-9 (GN10 KWH/KWJ/KWK, YX10 EBN/EBO/EBP/EBU/EBV/EBZ). These are to be refurbished at Thorntons to single door domestic DDA standard and repainted into standard Arriva livery to replace 1301/3-5/10-5 at Durham on the 64.

Another surprising note is of the recent redundancy of the Jesmond paintshop staff. It is believed that all repaints will now be done by outside contractors - likely to be Thorntons. These should start with the ex-Durham Park & Ride Solos 2852-61 which are as of today redundant with the end of the contract.