319 and 338 seen at Sunderland's Wheatsheaf depot on the 3rd January 1997. Also in view is 1863 (ESU263), a Plaxton Paramount 3500 bodied Leyland Tiger of the Favourite fleet, whilst lurking in the darkness inside the depot building is Atlantean 223.

Open top Atlantean 1218 (KBB118D) at Gypsies Green Stadium, South Shields, having just taken part in the annual HCVS Tyne Tees Run on the 7th June 1998. The bus had recently left the Busways fleet and was in fact owned at this time by North East Bus Breakers. It was subsequently sold on to an operator in the Irish Republic. Although incorporating an Alexander-style windscreen and lower front panel, this vehicle was actually bodied by Metro-Cammell.

205 (EJR105W) seen in Fawcett Street, Sunderland, operating service 5 to Redhouse on the 29th August 1996. New to Tyne and Wear PTE in 1980, the EJR-W batch of Atlanteans were originally fitted with coach seating and used mostly on ‘Fastline’ express services. However, in the late 80s they were downgraded and fitted with standard bus seats.

208 (EJR108W) seen in Blackett Street, Newcastle on the 27th March 1998.

223 (EJR123W) in Athenaeum Street, Sunderland on the 20th December 1997.

223 at High Barnes, Sunderland, operating service 14 to Helmsdale Road on the 24th December 1997. This was to be the very last occasion an Atlantean was used on this service.

On the 3rd March 1997, 287 (UVK287T) is seen taking a short break in Crowtree Road, Sunderland, prior to operating the E1 service to South Shields.

319 (AVK139V) in Brougham Street, Sunderland, about to operate a schools service on the 17th October 1997.

326 (AVK146V) of the Newcastle-based Blue Bus Services division was unusual in that it sported a yellow and white livery rather than that fleet’s normal blue and cream colours. It is seen at the North East Bus Preservation Society’s Seaburn vintage vehicle rally on the 25th August 1997.

330 (AVK150V) in Fawcett Street, Sunderland, on the afternoon of the 10th November 1997.

On the 15th July 1997, 334 (AVK154V) is seen in Brougham Street, Sunderland. After withdrawal from service, this bus saw further service with W.H. Fowler, Holbeach Drove.

340 (AVK160V) seen at Sunderland Central Bus Station on the 29th August 1996 while allocated to the Favourite Services division.

Stagecoach first commenced Magic Bus services in Newcastle on the 28th April 1997, providing a low fare alternative to the standard service. Many of Newcastle’s remaining Atlanteans, together with some former Bexleybus Northern Counties bodied Olympians were used for these operations. Atlantean 259 (SCN259S) is pictured in Blackett Street on the 12M service to West Denton on the 27th March 1998

300 (UVK300T) at the MetroCentre bus rally on the 11th May 1997. After withdrawal by Busways the following year, this vehicle passed to Weardale Motor Services of Stanhope, County Durham, for further service.

315 (AVK135V) seen in Blackett Street, Newcastle, on the afternoon of 27th March 1998.

A nearside view of 363 (AVK183V) in Blackett Street on the 27th March 1998.

Representing the Newcastle division of Busways vehicles in preservation is Alexander-bodied Atlantean 111 (EJR111W). The bus is seen on display at the 2007 MetroCentre rally.

210 (EJR110W) was new in 1980 and spent the first fourteen years of its life based in Newcastle. During 1994, 210 was transferred to Sunderland depot for approximately one year and has been repainted in the attractive yellow, white and green livery of Sunderland Busways. The vehicle is seen at the N.E. Bus Preservation Trust's Seaburn rally - 28/08/06.

Also recently restored is Atlantean 268 (SCN268S), new in 1978 and was based at South Shields for much of its life. Looking resplendent in South Shields Busways colours, the bus is seen at the 2006 Seaburn rally.