(28 May 2025, 5:06 pm)Storx wrote Not sure I'd be betting on that mind.
Personally if I had to take a punt I'd say they'll be going to Consett for the X45/47/X5/X15 with the E400MMC's formally doing the X30/X31/X32/X70/X71/X72/X73 which they've been pretty much doing recently anyway.
I know this is unpopular, but I'd go with 6308-14 on the X45 (with x2 spare) and B9TLs ending up on the X20. Yes they've been quite sketchy reliability wise. But with x2 spare and one rest day per week (with the 6/12/X30/X72 and X30/X45/X72 Sunday interworkings covered by E200MMC/E400MMC), they'd be fine.
In comparison to the X30s/X70s which have quite a few challenging sections, the Shotley Bridge to Newcastle section of the X45 (most of the route) is fairly straightforward and was previously handled fine using StreetLites & StreetDecks.
Ideally, we both know they should leave GNE in exchange for a more common vehicle type.