Biggest factors as to whether or not the X21 / X22 would get an upgrade would be:
Option 1:
- Availability of Classic E400s.
- Need for spare Sapphire deckers locally or nationally (57 plates)
Option 2:
- Need for spare Sapphire deckers locally or nationally (57 plates)
- Need for more single deck Sapphires locally or nationally
- Option 2 would either mean new MMCs for the X21/X22, 7 goes fully double deck with Ashington keeping 7518 and Belmont / Darlington getting either 7527 or 7528 (one per depot).
Or, the 7 gets 10x E400MMCs, 7534-37 and 40 move to Ashington and work alongside 7522-7528, 7518 and 2x of the best 57 plates with a further 2x being kept as spares meaning only 5x needing moved to another route / depot.
Don't think anything is going to happen this year by the looks of it.
RE: Arriva North East: Rare & Odd Workings - March 2016