(05 Apr 2018, 7:08 pm)Andreos1 I used the 27 on and off until the mid-90's and apart from the Low Fell Cross-Tyne service, it was the only one I recall going along Dryden Road.
As far as I remember, the 25 operated through Low Fell, alongside the 24 and 26.
I do remember a night service up Beacon Lough Road in the mid 80's. Cant recall which way it operated to get there though.
The change to the 27 and it operating along Prince Consort Road must have came about 96/97ish. By which point the 26 had gone and the 24/25 were just play things, being changed as often as the 1/2 were in subsequent years.
I could have been sure the 27 (in that guise), continued to Shields (or at least towards it) in the Durham Road/Prince Consort Road days. Possibly before the 87 that you mention.
However, in hindsight, I may be getting it confused with a version of the 57.
Have to apologise regarding the 648/49 and mentioning them alongside Old Fold. Meant Carr Hill. Always have got the two mixed up. No idea why.
A glance at those timetables would be great.
I think you and BLM must have misunderstood my post about the route of the 27. The 27 did not operate up Old Durham Road, the 51/52 operated along Old Durham Road and Beacon Lough Road before the two routes were combined with the 51/52 replacing the 27 between Gateshead and Wrekenton (via Gateshead Library, Dryden Road etc.). Perhaps I could have been clearer on that point.
The 57 (
initially as the 557) was extended from Heworth to South Shields via the route of the old 533 via Fellgate Estate, Boldon Colliery and Whiteleas. As we in the North East can't be trusted with three-digit numbering as we find it 'confusing'. The 557 became the 57 much like the 527 became the 27.
I'm trying to post a pic of the 25 timetable when it still operated along Dryden Road along with a list of changes in Gateshead which happened on Deregulation Day. However, I'm having trouble doing it at the moment due to an error message on the site. Hopefully it will be sorted out soon.
