(3 hours ago)L469 YVK wrote I think with a clean 10 minute headway between Rowlands Gill and Newcastle, some runs could get away with single deckers.

Likewise for the X70 - some getting away with singles and others needing deckers. But a more simple service with a better frequency will increase passenger numbers overtime.

There really is no demand at all for the X70. Its literally dead excluding the morning and evening peak. 
I politely disagree with single deckers as the entire corridor is busy on X45/47 deckers are needed for the route. As even from consett there are healthy loads. Single deckers make no sense for it as they're always rammed whenever singles are put on.