(20 Jul 2025, 8:05 pm)PH - BQA wrote The DB300s were allocated to the route from new, no? There are certainly multiple photographs of the DB300s on the X1/2 within 2012, when they were new. Similar with the Omnicities, there are multiple pictures of them on there in 2005/6.

If you are making the point that it is a route which rarely/if ever has new vehicles bought for it specifically though, you could say the same for many of the recent purchases. The 72-plate E400 MMCs are mainly allocated to the X14/5/8, of which the X18 is the only route of the three to have had vehicles bought specifically for it (7529-33 8 years earlier). Similar with the 57/A and 2701-5.

Ultimately though, if not new vehicles for the X12, then what? The Pulsars are rapidly approaching end of life, and there's a lack of suitable alternative in the NE fleet. Let's not forget that when the L113s operated the route, there was an abundance of pretty much brand new Pulsars available to replace them.

Ex Blyth the DB300's. Here's a photo of https://www.flickr.com/photos/emdjt42/6892381637/ on the 308 when it was pretty much brand new. 

Can't confirm 100% but want to say they went out when the hybrids turned up? But it might have been earlier possibly 1501-6 either - anyone confirm this?

The Omnicities I'm sure we're the 43 aswell, but can't confirm 100% that one either but that was part of Operation Overdrive. 

Btw  don't think it'll get anything personally, there's enough 12/13 plates around and I have a feeling they'll do it until it's death in 2028 with the 7 or 22/23/24 getting the investment instead. There's also possibly Blyth's Pulsars aswell depending on what the electrics replace up here as I can't see the newer E400's going anywhere.