26 Dec 2017, 12:13 pm
#46
(26 Dec 2017, 11:53 am)Kuyoyo Having fortunately finished work early on Saturday, I was able to make it into Stockton to witness the last departure from the town. Having work on the Sunday morning, I just had a quick trip from Stockton to Billingham - the driver being an acquaintance of many of us Teesside enthusiasts. There was only myself until Norton when an older couple boarded bound for Hartlepool.
![[Image: 39278873782_d954a10751_b.jpg]](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4590/39278873782_d954a10751_b.jpg)
Stagecoach on Teesside 54045 (SF57 DRV) by Tony Kuy, on Flickr
Having travelled back on the service a few Saturdays ago, the Driver that day hinted his annoyance at the withdrawal of the service as well as the decision to duplicate the 36 between Hartlepool Marina and Greatham.
As for 54045's future, on Sunday morning it was parked nose into the fence in the 'Dead' row nearest to Flowers. Longer term, I don't think anyone knows 100% - there have been rumours from the two X55 lads that it might be staying at Stockton for another attempt at a Saturday shopper service, except this time heading south from Teesside 
Would this be the rumour that was mentioned on here of the possibility of a service to York? Would be an interesting one, according to Google Maps you would only be roughly 10-15 minutes longer from Middlesbrough or Stockton than the TransPennine Express service (if going direct). Think it would need bargain fares to entice fare paying custom on-board otherwise it probably won't last long. May be an idea to have it call at Thirsk as I think it would just be short enough to avoid having to use Tachographs.
All this is subject to whether there is any truth in this. If it is, just hope they would run it at more sensible times than the X55 did.
