(30 Sep 2020, 8:51 am)mb134 wrote It'll likely end up being sold off bit by bit - I wouldn't be at all surprised if the North East ops got split back into Northumbria and Durham County in any sale. The culture and mindset has always seemed to differ hugely between them. 

Look at the Ashington, Blyth and Jesmond operations and imagine what someone like Alex Hornby would do with them, with Transdev behind it.

My prediction if the NE ops get sold:
- Ashington > GNE
- Blyth > Stagecoach
- Jesmond > GNE & split between Riverside / Percy Main with a new depot replacing Percy Main. Stagecoach get 685 and 306
- Darlington & Belmont > Stagecoach with them also getting X12
- Stockton > GNE with X9/X10 moved or shared with Riverside
- Redcar & Whitby >Transdev

Fleet wise, I wouldn't see GNE wanting 7541-7552 due to shorter length & Voith gearboxes so I'd imagine they'd strike a deal with Stagecoach in return for extra VDL DB300s. Would come in handy for Misc & School workings as well as a few rare ventures out on the X30/X70/X71 due to their low height. Don't know what the PVR is but 7541-52 would perhaps come in handy on the Stagecoach 1 (Slatyford) due to their shorter length & tight turns & streets on the route.