(16 Mar 2015, 9:06 pm)citaro5284 wrote Angel, Tynedalexpress, Tyne Teex Xpress, Wear Tees Xpress, East Durham, Coaster, Cobalt Clipper, Loop, Orbit.....to name just a few that have meanings I think.

(16 Mar 2015, 9:13 pm)citaro5284 wrote Dont think so, think it was our former MD's sense of humour!

(16 Mar 2015, 9:17 pm)citaro5284 wrote Watch this space!

(16 Mar 2015, 9:25 pm)Dan wrote Angel - A famous landmark which the 21 service passes.
Blaydon Racers - Commemorates the annual race meeting held at Stella Haughs, just to the west of Blaydon, near to the route of the 49 service.
Citylink - The 58 service offers links from various locations to the city of Newcastle.
Coaster - Links are provided from various locations to the coast.
Cobalt Clipper - Links are provided from various locations to Cobalt.
Cobalt Connect - Links are provided from various locations to Cobalt.
Connections4 - You can use this service to 'connect' to various services at various 'hubs'.
Crusader - Historical context, ie 1936 Jarrow Crusades.
Drifter - The service 'drifts' by the Seaham coast.
East Durham - Local services in East Durham.
Fab Fifty Seven - Route number.
Fab Fifty Six - Route number.
Fast Cats - Various stories about the meaning of this one - not sure which is true...
Great Park & Ride - Speaks for itself...
The Highwayman - Think the 97 service actually passes a pub or restaurant with this name, but not sure of any other meaning...?
Lambton Worm - Historical context
Lime - Historical context
Nexus - Services secured by Nexus.
North Tyne Links - Services which fall under this brand provide links on North Tyneside.
The Orbit - Two circular routes around Gateshead.
Prince Bishops - Links to Durham, a section of the route.
Pronto - The word 'pronto' means quick, linking to the express nature of the route, and the Italian theme could link to the Latin origin of the word 'pronto'?
QuayLink - Links to Newcastle/Gateshead Quayside
Red Arrows - Express (fast) service.
Saltwell Park - Key point of the 53/54 route.
TEN - Route number.
Diamond - Historical context.
Loop - Circular routes around Gateshead.
The OK Way - Historical context.
Red Kite - The Red Kite Trail (Derwent Walk Railway Path) on the route of the 45/46.
The Waggonway - Historical context and links to Beamish Museum
Toon Link - Links to 'The Toon', ie Newcastle.
Tyne Tees Xpress - Express service from Tyneside to Teesside.
Tynedale Links - Local links on the Tyne Valley.
Tynedalexpress - Express service on the Tyne Valley.
Venture - Historical context(?)
Wear Tees Xpress - Express service from Wearside to Teesside.
Whey Aye Five 0 - Links to a similarly named TV series, building on the well-known North East phrase 'Whey Aye'.
X66 - Route number.

(16 Mar 2015, 9:27 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote I remember reading somewhere that the Venture brand is named after the old Venture bus company, which operated around the Stanley/Consett area.

That's a good list though Dan, doubt I would have been able to list all of that without having to ask a certain friend....

(16 Mar 2015, 9:25 pm)Dan wrote Venture - Historical context(?)

(16 Mar 2015, 10:10 pm)Robert wrote Do GNE and TB have a relationship or is it just a coincidence that:
Trent Barton have the Black Cat and Go North East had the Black Cats
Trent Barton have the Red Arrow and Go North East have the Red Arrows
Trent Barton (albeit jointly operated with SC) have the Pronto and GNE also have a pronto
Plus Trent Bartons 'The threes' branded Versa 827 is named after Peter Huntley (https://flic.kr/p/iHyZro) 

(16 Mar 2015, 10:17 pm)Dan wrote During the early days of route branding, I think senior management from both companies worked together.

Money back guarantees were an idea Huntley implemented at Go North East following its success with Trent Barton.

(16 Mar 2015, 9:25 pm)Dan wrote The Highwayman - Think the 97 service actually passes a pub or restaurant with this name, but not sure of any other meaning...? Correct but I understand its more related to the road the pub is on, the Whickham Highwway.

Lime - Historical context Relating to the lime kiln's in the area.

Prince Bishops - Links to Durham, a section of the route. The links are Bishops of Durham its there mitre i.e hat on the side of the vehicles, buses are painted in there color of Palatinate Purple.

Diamond - Historical context. The original routes south of Stanley were the services of J.H.Hammel who operated as Diamond, Go-Ahead Northern purchased J.H.Hammel.

The Waggonway - Historical context and links to Beamish Museum. Beamish Wooden Waggonway  from Beamish Mary Pit to the Great North Road at Pelaw Grange and the A693 road follows the route at High Handenhold.

Venture - Historical context(?) Another well respected independent in the Derwentside area that was purchesed.

(17 Mar 2015, 2:56 am)roar wrote Tried to expand a little on a few of those Dan

(16 Mar 2015, 10:10 pm)Robert wrote Do GNE and TB have a relationship or is it just a coincidence that:
Trent Barton have the Black Cat and Go North East had the Black Cats
Trent Barton have the Red Arrow and Go North East have the Red Arrows
Trent Barton (albeit jointly operated with SC) have the Pronto and GNE also have a pronto
Plus Trent Bartons 'The threes' branded Versa 827 is named after Peter Huntley (https://flic.kr/p/iHyZro) 

(16 Mar 2015, 9:06 pm)citaro5284 wrote Angel, Tynedalexpress, Tyne Teex Xpress, Wear Tees Xpress, East Durham, Coaster, Cobalt Clipper, Loop, Orbit.....to name just a few that have meanings I think.

(26 Mar 2015, 6:53 am)Dan wrote In related news, Volvo B7TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 16942 has been repainted into the new InterConnect livery: https://flic.kr/p/rvyMWQ

Eleven of Lincoln's 'green' Solos are VOR at the moment, which has resulted in a number of rare workings recently:
https://flic.kr/p/rN2Wgj
https://flic.kr/p/rvzU6o
https://flic.kr/p/qRmJxx
https://flic.kr/p/rN9FoT
To cover for them, three Solos and eight Tridents have been drafted in from the Manchester division of Stagecoach.

(22 Apr 2015, 3:21 pm)Andreos1 wrote Kier seem to be using Merc FX54 LML on their 65 Horncastle -Sleaford service.

Have seen it a few times over the last month or so, but never close up. Not sure where the corporate liveried Solo has gone, which was used previously.

• 10 new tri axle Volvo Plaxton Elite coaches are said to be on order for use on Derby to Nottingham Red Arrow. 2 of the '10' reg Coaches on the Red Arrow are expected to move over to service X38 replacing Optare Tempos 307 and 308. Another 2 coaches are planned to go onto Club Class replacing the 2 older coaches on the route.
  
• A number of Volvo B8RLEs are also reported to be on order for the two and Calverton Connection. The B7RLEs used on the two reportedly said to be moving over onto the Derby to Chesterfield Red Arrow route which is expected to be branded something different (Possibly Blue Arrow). The Calverton Connection Citaros are also thought to be moving to Kinchbus for service 2 minus Citaro 902 which was written off after fire.