(28 May 2022, 10:20 am)Rob44 wrote im sure arrive came up with making the 44 to Newcastle the x44 at one point. meaning the first  stop after Gosforth park ( i think) was regent centre. The obviously didn't last long!

From memory, the X44 was a Friday/Saturday shopper service between Newbiggen and Blyth via the Spine Road in the early days of Arriva ownership.

The 44 did used to run limited stop down the Coast Road. 

Although I also recall a lot of tinkering being made to the 44/45 services almost every 6 months in the 2000s, so you maybe right!