(13 Jan 2013, 6:54 pm)gtomlinson wrote Re- route discussion.

777 was Sunderland - Metrocentre, this replaced the 183 which was Washington-Birtley-Low Fell-Shipcote-Bensham-Metrocentre, then it was axed and replaced with the 77 became Sunderland-Newcastle via Washington area, Barley Mow, Birtley, Wrekenton, QE, Gateshead-Newcastle with later journeys and Sundays ending at Gateshead.

Other 700 series were the 735 from Houghton le Spring to Newcastle via Chester, Birtley, Low Fell which became part of the 21 as the 21A then disappeared. and the 733 became the 28A.

The 777 ran between Sunderland and Newcastle. It was withdrawn in 2006 and the new 28 replaced the 777 between Newcastle and Birtley. The 28 also replaced the 709 and the 728 through Ouston, Pelton, Beamish and other places like that. The rest of the 777 route between Sunderland and Birtley was replaced with the 77, which then continued along Low Fell, Shipcoat, Bensham and then the Metrocentre. There wasn't enough demand for the Sunderland to Birtley section, so the 77 route was reduced so it ran from the Galleries to the Metrocentre. Demand dropped further and it was withdrawn and replaced with the 187 between the Metrocentre and the QE Hospital. Of course that was withdrawn and now exists as part of the 69A.