Caught the 1236 departure on Sunday.

Units 158860 and 158843 forming the service with 158860 arriving carrying an emergency headlamp on the front - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...4206572106 - must be concerned incase the electrics failed on the unit during the journey.

On arrival to Newcastle, the units were split, 158860 headed off to Heaton depot with 158843 going off to do a run to the Metrocentre.

Class 156 units 156482 (Newcastle end) and 156451 (Ashington end), were recruited to replace the pair and were moved from Platform 9 over the King Edward and High Level bridges into Platform 1 to form the 1354 departure, and was used the rest of the day - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...4206812383

As for stations, I think Bebside will win a lot of passengers from the buses, as walking to the train station is just going to be as short of a distance as it is walking to the bus stops as Asda for those who live in the new build, some might even drive to the station.

Ashington will attract people who either live nearby or car users that live in surrounding areas taking advantage of the park and ride facilities. Seaton Deleval might be the same.

Bedlington Station will probably be local footfall as I don't think it has facilities for parking.

Newsham and Seaton Deleval, possibly could attract people living near the coast to drive to the station to use the Park and Ride facilities.

It also depends on what happens when Northumberland Park opens providing new transport links onto the Metro or onto the 19 for Cobalt if people change their travel habits.

As for the delays on Monday afternoon, I believe there was something tangled in the overhead line near to Benton Junction saw it saw the job stopped for a short while.