Followed 254 (ex GNE 5201) last night as it worked the 968.
I was never a fan of the Solars - particularly as they got older, but wanted to follow it and hear what this one sounded like.
I'd not planned on following it, I just happened to come across it when heading from A-B.

I ended up quite disappointed. There was no ropey sounds, not much squealing and very little vibration. 
Certainly not from where I was anyway and I'd put the car windows down. 

I was curious to see what numbers on it were like these days, particularly on a well-established service like the 968 and it being in the middle of a pandemic. 
It didn't stop at all between Houghton (where I found it) and Hetton. It switched to NIS at Hetton and missed out the interchange. At this point I thought it was empty and it was going to run short, maybe heading back to the depot or wherever its next run was from. It carried on to Four Lane Ends and in to Easington Lane. Two or three people got off at the terminus opposite the clock. 

Might have to give it a ride once this pandemic is all over and the weather is a bit drier. Just for old times sake and to see what it rides like as a passenger.