(06 Jul 2020, 2:15 pm)streetdeckfan wrote The B9s are pretty much spot on for the route, realistically it wouldn't really be much if an upgrade changing them to StreetDecks or E400s, especially with them already having been upgraded to Euro 6 (although the 6 cylinder StreetDeck might suit the route quite well)

I think the E400MMC would be fine considering Arriva have been using classics on the X15 / X18 as well as GoNE having an order for the X1 & X30. Don't know how the longer serving Hexham drivers would take to them though after the trouble Arriva had with Dennis Trident ALX400s 7430-35 when they operated the former guise of the 10 (602) and they then had to be replaced with Volvo B10BLEs from Arriva Scotland. They couldn't even handle the 308 afterwards during their stint at Blyth!

I do think that GoNE will stick with refurbishing the B9TLs on the Tyne Valley Tens though.