(12 May 2016, 7:39 pm)Tom wrote If you try the journey at about half 5 Mon-Fri from North Shields that is normally a decker - might be too late getting the last 21 back to Darlo though?

Looking at the timetables as part of the upcoming changes for the 9 and 21/X21, the 9 leaves North Shields at 17:22 and arrives at Park Lane for 18:24, then the X21/21 leaves Park Lane on the last run to Newton Aycliffe at 18:30, so it is possible to do such trip, may give it a go one day and hopefully I'll be in luck!