(28 Feb 2014, 9:27 am)andreos1 wrote I am guessing that must have been the forerunner of the original 56.

Sort of. The 56 didn't appear until the early-80's after cross-Tyne services were curtailed to either Gateshead or Newcastle. In 1979, the 56 operated between Gateshead and Team Valley via Saltwell Road and Western Avenue - the forerunner to what became the 956.

The 7 went through an additional number change (I'm guessing 1973-ish) before it eventually became the 56.

I'll dig out the timetable and post it once I get back from work.