I too forgot about the 727 and the 124. I always doubt myself the 735 existed but I remember the Metrobuses on it.
Re - the 23. At the same time the OK ran the 23 to Newcastle were the Northern metrolink buses running the short local 23 (Birtley East School - Vigo)
The 23 must have been competing with the 26 at the time too?
RE: Go North East