Go North East: "Northern vs Go North East"
Shown in-shot here is, from left to right: Withdrawn Dennis SPD/Transbus Super Pointer 8240 (NK51 MKO), DAF SB120/Wright Cadet 8259 (NK04 FPD), Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 4943 (NK51 OLG) and withdrawn Dennis SPD/Plaxton Super Pointer 8222 (V222 ERG).
As standard, once withdrawn, all vinyls are removed from vehicles. This is demonstrated here by SPDs 8222 and 8240.
The thing of greater interest is the difference between Cadet 8259 and Solar 4943.
As part of a new scheme to change the public perception of vehicles within a 'spare role' on branded routes, all vehicles are being "refreshed" to have the 'Northern' name removed. The Northern General Transport Company was the original founding company of what is now Go-Ahead Group. The Northern General Transport Company originated in the early 1900s when Parliament denied the Act by Gateshead and District Tramways to extend its tramway from Low Fell to Chester-le-Street, and its first depot was built at Picktree Lane, Chester-le-Street, in 1913.
This historical reputation has also come at a harsh price. Vehicles which carry this livery have become associated with being old and unreliable, as vehicles which typically carry this livery are the oldest within the fleet and in some cases are living beyond their expected 15-year life span.
It is for this reason why spare buses, starting with the ones which are due to be repainted imminently as part of investment cascades (as is the case with 4943), are having their "Northern" logos removed, which are being replaced by "Go North East" logos. These vehicles are having fresh fleet numbers applied, as well as fresh legal lettering.
Newer 'spare' buses are also being purchased, which has been demonstrated by the recent arrivals to the fleet which have been red in colour. Instead of vehicles being 'dedicated spares' by being branded for an individual service, they are to be fleet liveried spares so that, when not needed on the service which they were purchased for, they can be allocated elsewhere so that an older 'spare bus' need not be allocated.
4943 is one of the first vehicles to receive new 'Go North East' logos, and it contrasts quite well here against 8259, which, despite being a newer vehicle, appears more elderly as a result of the lack of refurbishment and 'Northern' connotations.
Go North East: "Northern vs Go North East"
Shown in-shot here is, from left to right: Withdrawn Dennis SPD/Transbus Super Pointer 8240 (NK51 MKO), DAF SB120/Wright Cadet 8259 (NK04 FPD), Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 4943 (NK51 OLG) and withdrawn Dennis SPD/Plaxton Super Pointer 8222 (V222 ERG).
As standard, once withdrawn, all vinyls are removed from vehicles. This is demonstrated here by SPDs 8222 and 8240.
The thing of greater interest is the difference between Cadet 8259 and Solar 4943.
As part of a new scheme to change the public perception of vehicles within a 'spare role' on branded routes, all vehicles are being "refreshed" to have the 'Northern' name removed. The Northern General Transport Company was the original founding company of what is now Go-Ahead Group. The Northern General Transport Company originated in the early 1900s when Parliament denied the Act by Gateshead and District Tramways to extend its tramway from Low Fell to Chester-le-Street, and its first depot was built at Picktree Lane, Chester-le-Street, in 1913.
This historical reputation has also come at a harsh price. Vehicles which carry this livery have become associated with being old and unreliable, as vehicles which typically carry this livery are the oldest within the fleet and in some cases are living beyond their expected 15-year life span.
It is for this reason why spare buses, starting with the ones which are due to be repainted imminently as part of investment cascades (as is the case with 4943), are having their "Northern" logos removed, which are being replaced by "Go North East" logos. These vehicles are having fresh fleet numbers applied, as well as fresh legal lettering.
Newer 'spare' buses are also being purchased, which has been demonstrated by the recent arrivals to the fleet which have been red in colour. Instead of vehicles being 'dedicated spares' by being branded for an individual service, they are to be fleet liveried spares so that, when not needed on the service which they were purchased for, they can be allocated elsewhere so that an older 'spare bus' need not be allocated.
4943 is one of the first vehicles to receive new 'Go North East' logos, and it contrasts quite well here against 8259, which, despite being a newer vehicle, appears more elderly as a result of the lack of refurbishment and 'Northern' connotations.