(20 Jul 2026, 11:09 am)Nick2006 wrote According to bus times 19680 is currently at stockton depot

(21 Jul 2026, 11:02 am)V514DFT wrote 10580 has been involved in a RTA/RTC on Westgate Road, hope everyone is ok

(22 Jul 2026, 12:50 pm)TransitObserver wrote From my understanding as a driver at Slatyford, 10580 has been written off and withdrawn following the collision yesterday. Hidden damage and it being unrepairable means the bus will never see service again. This is what I’ve heard from another driver in the depot so it’s not 100% confirmed so we’ll wait and see what happens.

(22 Jul 2026, 1:10 pm)F114TML wrote Looked like the platform and cab had been pushed back, so probably snapped the chassis.

(22 Jul 2026, 6:32 pm)Brampton Trev wrote so how busy does the 685 get?  I know Carlisle put out 2 double deckers originally due to Hexham schools but is it more than just the Hexham schools?

And why is the 685 killing the e200MMCs?  Mileage?  too much higher speed running?

(22 Jul 2026, 6:32 pm)Brampton Trev wrote so how busy does the 685 get?  I know Carlisle put out 2 double deckers originally due to Hexham schools but is it more than just the Hexham schools?

And why is the 685 killing the e200MMCs?  Mileage?  too much higher speed running?

(23 Jul 2026, 3:20 pm)Rapidsnap wrote Wonder how suited these would be for the 685, albeit they would have to be cascaded from Fife. Mind I do suspect their could be issues due to the length of these vehicles using the bus station at Eldon Square and Carlisle. Along with using other parts of the routes though small villages and would be unsuitable for other local services.

The Volvo B8RLET / Plaxton Panther LE - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photogenic/50544748236

Alternatively they could get a new batch of these to split between Cumbria and North East. It be another new type for the NE and NW fleets, but are in use elsewhere in Stagecoach and with operators elsewhere including Arriva NE and can be used to cover local work if needed.

The Volvo B8RLE / MCV EvoRA - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photogenic/52975538050

(23 Jul 2026, 6:20 pm)BusEnthusiast.com wrote Tbf the evora seems quite good tbf,the plaxton panther would probably be way too big for eldon square,however those euro 6 e300s from Stockton which slatyford had for a while (the 272** batch) were also pretty good on the 685,its a shame they got rid of them as overall not just on the 685 but on other routes they were quite good.

(23 Jul 2026, 3:20 pm)Rapidsnap wrote Wonder how suited these would be for the 685, albeit they would have to be cascaded from Fife. Mind I do suspect their could be issues due to the length of these vehicles using the bus station at Eldon Square and Carlisle. Along with using other parts of the routes though small villages and would be unsuitable for other local services.

The Volvo B8RLET / Plaxton Panther LE - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photogenic/50544748236

Alternatively they could get a new batch of these to split between Cumbria and North East. It be another new type for the NE and NW fleets, but are in use elsewhere in Stagecoach and with operators elsewhere including Arriva NE and can be used to cover local work if needed.

The Volvo B8RLE / MCV EvoRA - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photogenic/52975538050

(23 Jul 2026, 7:17 pm)F114TML wrote Mentioned this before, the 272s aren't euro 6.

(24 Jul 2026, 2:06 am)Glen1974 wrote When is one stockton new yutong buses get repaint in to new livery hope it soon? I don't think it madness if new or old buses?

(23 Jul 2026, 10:50 pm)logidoodah wrote I wouldn't worry about the length as the X9//X10 had demonstrators of Panther LEs through Eldon Square in like 2019 I think it was...

These vehicles would be ideal for the following services around the North East which would be far too long distance for all of the new angel network electric investments coming with franchising....
X10 Newcastle to Middlesbrough
X12 Newcastle to Middlesbrough
685 Carlisle to Newcastle
X15/X18/X20 Berwick/Alnwick to Newcastle

(24 Jul 2026, 5:18 pm)stagecoachfan wrote The demonstrator Panther LE that Go North East used on the X10 was in fact later acquired by Stagecoach East Scotland and joined their others.

(23 Jul 2026, 10:50 pm)logidoodah wrote I wouldn't worry about the length as the X9//X10 had demonstrators of Panther LEs through Eldon Square in like 2019 I think it was...

These vehicles would be ideal for the following services around the North East which would be far too long distance for all of the new angel network electric investments coming with franchising....
X10 Newcastle to Middlesbrough
X12 Newcastle to Middlesbrough
685 Carlisle to Newcastle
X15/X18/X20 Berwick/Alnwick to Newcastle

(24 Jul 2026, 7:44 pm)Rapidsnap wrote Indeed, now numbered 54521 (Oddly missing out vacent 54520) and was allocated to Perth. https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photogenic/52970297441

(23 Jul 2026, 10:50 pm)logidoodah wrote I wouldn't worry about the length as the X9//X10 had demonstrators of Panther LEs through Eldon Square in like 2019 I think it was...

These vehicles would be ideal for the following services around the North East which would be far too long distance for all of the new angel network electric investments coming with franchising....
X10 Newcastle to Middlesbrough
X12 Newcastle to Middlesbrough
685 Carlisle to Newcastle
X15/X18/X20 Berwick/Alnwick to Newcastle

(25 Jul 2026, 4:44 pm)Malarkey wrote There is no chance your getting a Volvo B8R Plaxton Panther LE through some of the areas that the 685 serves particularly between Carlisle and Hexham having been on with an E200MMC (262989) this afternoon for full route from Carlisle to Newcastle.

I'd say a Volvo B8RLE MCV Evora at 12.9m with a Volvo D8K (350BHP) would be more suitable for both capacity and power.

(25 Jul 2026, 5:43 pm)Storx wrote imo they'd be better just using coaches like a lot of their routes in Scotland without the low floor. There's zero issues on any routes up there.

The luggage space etc would actually be useful really.

If you pulled the Throckley section (X82/684 does this) then it's pretty much limited express the whole route since most stops are in the middle of nowhere.