The SPD I mentioned earlier later managed one run on the OK1 before failing at Middlesbrough. Been stuck there for about an hour and a half after she wet herself and an engineer from Chester should be getting there in about 15 mins (passed him driving a Northern Renown while I was on the X9 a little while ago).
Plenty of custom lost to Arriva's X66 for those who were only going to Darlo, but oh well!
RE: Go North East