Wonderful Scania Wows Whitehaven Crowds

Transport heritage came alive in spectacular fashion this past weekend as Whitehaven welcomed back a true classic of the North East bus scene. Scania L94UB Wright Solar 5217, once a staple of the GO North East fleet turned heads and stirred memories as it returned to the spotlight at Whitehaven National 53. Beautifully restored in in the striking GO Gateshead livery by the Northern National Restoration Group

Once a regular on services across Tyne and Wear 5217 ( NK54NVN) faded from the public eye after retirement. But thanks to the dedication and hard work from the Northern National Restoration Group the vehicle has undergone a stunning transformation that has captured the hearts of bus enthusiasts and locals alike.

Painstaking restored over 4 years the project saw the group return the Scania to its former glory and was unveiled in 2023 at the October open day and re-named "Chris Moyes" in 2024. The Bold blue, red and yellow GO Gateshead branding, a once familiar sight in Gateshead interchange and beyond has been meticulously reapplied using original reference images and high-quality materials. The interior has also received attention with seating, flooring and fittings carefully refurbished to match the buses appearance during its prime.

"The goal was always to bring back a piece of Gateshead's transport identity and to remember the legacy left by the late Chris Moyes OBE DL whom this bus is dedicated to" said a spokesperson from the NNRG "5217 is a workhorse, but it had a certain character that people remembered. We wanted to honour that."

The unveiling in Whitehaven drew a sizeable crowd including former drivers, long-time enthusiasts from far and wide and families eager to see the bus that once carried them to work, school or on day trips.

Cameras snapped, stories were shared and for many the return on 5217 brought back a wave of personal memories.

As the latest vehicle on the Road in the NNRG fleet 5217 is planned to attend several rallies snd transport events throughout the year. It not only stands as a tribute to GO North East's history bus also as a testament to what passionate volunteers can achieve with commitment, community support and a love for local heritage.

Whitehaven may be a long way from Gateshead, but this weekend it just felt a little closer the beating heart of the North East's transport Legacy.