(21 Dec 2021, 12:30 pm)Storx wrote Personally I think the X84/X85 is on borrowed time if it goes hourly via the X84 route. It's just a matter of time before it goes back to being a Hexham -> Ovington service only. There's literally no reason for anyone to use it as it's slower than the 685 which has better buses (Enviro 400 MMC's and Pulsars) and people at the Villages of Wylam and Ovington are more likely to use the train it's every 20 minutes at the peaks, much quicker and both stations near the villages are relatively busy (Prudhoe 160k, Wylam 100k)The 156 overhaul was done on the cheap and the 158s are ruined, most seats are dead and the general state is patched up. They aren't ideal for the line and cast offs from elsewhere really isn't appropriate.
Mind I don't agree with your comments about the Class 158, even known they're getting on they're decent trains imo. The Class 156 is a bit meh but better than most buses in particular a Versa which imo are one of the worst full size buses in the North East.
RE: Fleet Changes