(12 May 2026, 4:28 pm)Retro Nero wrote I think it was Heworth to Rickleton via The Galleries

I thought so

Was it before the above comments, that the 192/193/194/195

192 Washington to Easington lane then Murton?

193 Washington to Easington Lane then Wheatley Hill or Thornley?

194 Washington to Easington Lane.

195 Washington to Hetton-Le-Hole via Bournmoor , in later in life was withdrawn when the X94 started up?, the evenings and Sunday journeys on the 195 were renumbered as 165 secured journeys operated by OK travel.


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(12 May 2026, 6:36 pm)cbma06 wrote Was it before the above comments, that the 192/193/194/195

192 Washington to Easington lane then Murton?

193 Washington to Easington Lane then Wheatley Hill or Thornley?

194 Washington to Easington Lane.

195 Washington to Hetton-Le-Hole via Bournmoor , in later in life was withdrawn when the X94 started up?, the evenings and Sunday journeys on the 195 were renumbered as 165 secured journeys operated by OK travel.


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They all ran from Newcastle via  Washington

(12 May 2026, 6:47 pm)Retro Nero wrote They all ran from Newcastle via  Washington

Yea [emoji106], I was just mentioning the south side of Washington network.


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Was it ever rerouted via Team Valley at one point, as i have a Gateshead network map from 2005 and theres a 193 on it via Team Valley, or was this a different 193 to the one above

(12 May 2026, 10:18 pm)V514DFT wrote Was it ever rerouted via Team Valley at one point, as i have a Gateshead network map from 2005 and theres a 193 on it via Team Valley, or was this a different 193 to the one above

It was a different one. I believe that 193 operated between Newcastle and the Team Valley, partially replacing what used to be the 915, I think.

A snippet of the 192/193/194 timetable from the 1974 T&W timetable attached for info

(13 May 2026, 9:11 am)Dextrovert wrote A snippet of the 192/193/194 timetable from the 1974 T&W timetable attached for info

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Washington Town Centre wouldn't have been the Galleries back then so what was classed as Town Centre, so I'm thinking what is now Concord! would have been maybe Washington Town Centre.

(13 May 2026, 5:17 am)MurdnunoC wrote It was a different one. I believe that 193 operated between Newcastle and the Team Valley, partially replacing what used to be the 915, I think.

Ahhhh i see, cheers for clearing that up

(13 May 2026, 3:55 pm)Retro Nero wrote Correct me if I'm wrong, but Washington Town Centre wouldn't have been the Galleries back then so what was classed as Town Centre, so I'm thinking what is now Concord! would have been maybe Washington Town Centre.

It was opened in July 1974, apparently. 

So it would have, at the very least, under construction with some bits probably open: a bit like how the Metrocentre was opened in stages with the Red Quadrant opening first (in 1986), then the Green Quadrant, then the Blue and Yellow Quadrants with stuff like Metroland opening in 1988.

(13 May 2026, 3:55 pm)Retro Nero wrote Correct me if I'm wrong, but Washington Town Centre wouldn't have been the Galleries back then so what was classed as Town Centre, so I'm thinking what is now Concord! would have been maybe Washington Town Centre.

Concord was listed on bus timetables as Concord as early as 22 November 1973, which was when a number of services were rerouted through the then Town Centre (at the same time, Spout Lane was closed which necessitated a rerouting of buses). A bus timetable guide from the time refers to the Central Bus Station in the new Town Centre and the bus station in Concord is listed as Concord. On the same date, most bus services were also renumbered.

The above bus timetable guide used to be in the Bygone Era forum a number of years ago.

(11 May 2026, 11:45 pm)Robbie64 wrote Although most Washington service numbers were in the high 100s, looking at a list of service numbers I have from 2004, there were some that were in the 200s, 300s and 400s:

291/292 - Heworth to Washington Circular
293 - Heworth to Rickleton
294 - Heworth to Newbottle
393 - Heworth to Harraton
493 - Waterview Park - Houghton (via Concord and Barnwell)

Going further back, the following ran in the late 80s into the 90s (all three were evening services Mon-Sat):

297 - Heworth to Galleries  (reappeared in 1995 as route Brady Square - Heworth - Brady Square)
298 - Heworth - Sulgrave - Concord - Donwell - Heworth
299 - Heworth Donwell - Concord - Sulgrave - Heworth

Plus at various times:

279 - Coach Road - Concord - Galleries - Rickleton (Mon to Sat, day services operated by St George Travel, evening services by Go Wear) (1995 to early 2000s if I recall)

284 - Washington - Wrekenton - Birtley - Washington (reverse journey of service number 184)

I'm sure the old 294 mostly ran between Heworth and Harraton for several years. I'm sure it served Donwell via The Drive and Well Bank Road. Also I think the 194 served Fallowfield Way in Fatfield, before continuing via Fatfield Bridge to Shiney Row and Houghton etc, while the 294 turned right at Fatfield Bridge via Bonemill Lane then on to Harraton. I believe it was later extended to serve Shiney Row and Success etc when Shiney Row college opened - which I think was around the late 90s.

I remember a few other services that didn't last long or that were trails. 

There was an evening service 295 around the late 90s/early 00s. I'm sure it went from Heworth - Sulgrave - Concord - Galleries - Brady Square. I'm not sure if it terminated at Brady Square or went on to Fatfield or Harraton afterwards. 

There was a 391/392 around the early 00s. I'm sure they were Washington circulars that served Blackfell - Oxclose - Galleries - Glebe - Washington Village - Barmston - Concord - Sulgrave - Concord - Blackfell. I believe they ran hourly to provide a combined half hour frequently alongside the 291/292.

When the major service changes came into effect in 2006 and the 291/292 etc were withdrawn as part of the shake up, the done an experimental 491/492 service to replace the links lost from the changes. It was basically the same route as the 291/292 and they were far quicker getting to and from Heworth but didn't last long as they didn't serve the Galleries or Concord.

Lare 70s until late 80s/early 90s ( Closure of Jarrow depot there were very short routes, 546 Hill Park to Jarrow, 543 Jarrow to Fellgate via York Ave., 545 Jarrow to Fellgate via A19, 547 Jarrow to Falmouth Drive (Low Simonside) via Valley View.

(13 Jul 2026, 11:12 am)Retro Nero wrote Lare 70s until late 80s/early 90s ( Closure of Jarrow depot there were very short routes, 546 Hill Park to Jarrow, 543 Jarrow to Fellgate via York Ave., 545 Jarrow to Fellgate via A19, 547 Jarrow to Falmouth Drive (Low Simonside) via Valley View.

Those services were only until deregulation and all changed numbers but stayed short routes for a while in October 1986

So i found a bus guide from February 2006 for South Tyneside, interesting seeing the old routes so i'll list in order the GNE services
35/35A- South Shields- South Hetton
160/163- Heworth- New Lambton
310- Blyth- Sunderland
319- Cramlington- Sunderland
526- Horsley Hill- Monkton Lane
527- Newcastle- South Shields
528- South Shields- Monkton Lane
531/532- Heworth- Fellgate
533- South Shields- Fellgate
542- Heworth/Jarrow- Boldon ASDA
543- Heworth- Fellgate
544- Horsley Hill- Heworth
551- South Shields- Chester Le Street
557- South Shields- Gateshead
X50- South Shields- Durham

(15 Jul 2026, 9:42 am)V514DFT wrote So i found a bus guide from February 2006 for South Tyneside, interesting seeing the old routes so i'll list in order the GNE services
35/35A- South Shields- South Hetton
160/163- Heworth- New Lambton
310- Blyth- Sunderland
319- Cramlington- Sunderland
526- Horsley Hill- Monkton Lane
527- Newcastle- South Shields
528- South Shields- Monkton Lane
531/532- Heworth- Fellgate
533- South Shields- Fellgate
542- Heworth/Jarrow- Boldon ASDA
543- Heworth- Fellgate
544- Horsley Hill- Heworth
551- South Shields- Chester Le Street
557- South Shields- Gateshead
X50- South Shields- Durham

I think the 551 did some runs to Sacriston which is a random extension for the route

(15 Jul 2026, 9:48 am)X919 WGR wrote I think the 551 did some runs to Sacriston which is a random extension for the route

Crazy isn't it how much its all changed in 20 years

(15 Jul 2026, 5:22 pm)V514DFT wrote Crazy isn't it how much its all changed in 20 years

When everything was branded you'd have so many routes thrown under the 1 brand.

Highwayman had: 95/95A/96/96A/97/97A/X97/98/98A/X98
Red Arrows had: X1/X2/X3/X23
Lime Had: 8/8A/X8/78/78A/X78
ToonLink had: 6/11/12/31/32/47/X30/X31/X32/X70/X71/X72

thats just to name a few. Now its not many as they are all ending.

Much better before 2015

Sacriston actually used to be the main destination for the 551 with evennig and sunday runs curtailed to Chester Le Street. When I was younger I used to always wonder where Sacriston was whenever I saw the 551 on my trips to South Shields. Needless to say, the first visit to Sacriston was very disappointing.

527 brings back memories.... was real Value For Money that service

Totally agree about 527 to Central Station as well as 526,528 and (532 Eldon Square underground bus station to Fellgate even old Northern bus station before it moved to Eldon Squre.

I do wish they should have left those
alone.

(15 Jul 2026, 6:12 pm)X919 WGR wrote ToonLink had: 6/11/12/31/32/47/X30/X31/X32/X70/X71/X72

They were never ToonLink at the same time though. The X30/X31/X32/X70/X71/X72 only came Toonlink to save a paint job.

If I'm right it was originally:
11/47: Toonlink
31/32: Blaydon Racers
X30/X31/X70/X71: West Durham Swift
43/44(6): Diamond

Wasn't it?

(16 Jul 2026, 9:58 am)Storx wrote They were never ToonLink at the same time though. The X30/X31/X32/X70/X71/X72 only came Toonlink to save a paint job.

If I'm right it was originally:
11/47: Toonlink
31/32: Blaydon Racers
X30/X31/X70/X71: West Durham Swift
43/44(6): Diamond

Wasn't it?

Yeah I know about the ToonLink. I Just merged them all

I think around 2011/2012 the 31/32 fell into the ToonLink brand after the Blaydon Racer brand was moved onto the 49/49A/49B.
15/15A/X30/X31/X70/X71 were the West Durham Swifts.

The Diamond had the 40/43/X43/44/44A then the now 16/16A/16B

(16 Jul 2026, 10:49 am)X919 WGR wrote Yeah I know about the ToonLink. I Just merged them all

I think around 2011/2012 the 31/32 fell into the ToonLink brand after the Blaydon Racer brand was moved onto the 49/49A/49B.
15/15A/X30/X31/X70/X71 were the West Durham Swifts.

The Diamond had the 40/43/X43/44/44A then the now 16/16A/16B

Yeah that's fair, wasn't 100% on the history of the 31/32 tbh.

Btw the Black Cats was the worst for that, it was basically the whole Sunderland network. Branding should be just one corridor imo otherwise what's the point, you can't use the brand if they go everywhere so it kinda defeats it's purpose.

I thought it was the 31/32/47 that was Toonlink, the 11 theres always been confusion over, some people called it Toonlink, some people classed it as part of the old brand for the 10, the 47 left Toonlink when the 31/32 were renumbered to the 12/12A, then that 11 was withdrawn and the new 11 (and 11A) (Blue Arrow) became what was the 17/17A and 96

(16 Jul 2026, 12:20 pm)V514DFT wrote I thought it was the 31/32/47 that was Toonlink, the 11 theres always been confusion over, some people called it Toonlink, some people classed it as part of the old brand for the 10, the 47 left Toonlink when the 31/32 were renumbered to the 12/12A, then that 11 was withdrawn and the new 11 (and 11A) (Blue Arrow) became what was the 17/17A and 96

Its had a weird history the ToonLink however, the 47 actually left the ToonLink brand to be apart of the RedKite brand in 2015 when the Dealer Stock Gemini 2s were purchased. 
I think the 31/32 then had a small run with the Omnicity ToonLink before it changed to the X30/X31


As for the previous post mentioning the Blaydon Racers. That had a lot more routes linked to it when it was allocated with the Super Pointers. 
That phase of Blaydon Racers had the Old 10, 11, 31, 32, 48, 49, 49A

---

(16 Jul 2026, 10:54 am)Storx wrote Yeah that's fair, wasn't 100% on the history of the 31/32 tbh.

Btw the Black Cats was the worst for that, it was basically the whole Sunderland network. Branding should be just one corridor imo otherwise what's the point, you can't use the brand if they go everywhere so it kinda defeats it's purpose.

Yeah the Black Cats brand (Red 2017 edition) was a mess.

It felt that whatever was not branded in Sunderland at that time became Black Cat branded. 2, 2A, 33, 33A, 35, 35A, 39, 238, 516 (South Shields).
4 Different Vehicle types also for that network. The Daimler Streetlites, Scania Solars, Optare Solo and Solo SRs.


The much earlier edition of Black Cats wasnt as bad. 26, 26A, 36A, 36C. That Dennis Dart version of the brand had its small Nexus "takeover" when they put the Nexus Logo over the Black Cats logo so it could work for the 516 in South Shields

(15 Jul 2026, 9:48 am)X919 WGR wrote I think the 551 did some runs to Sacriston which is a random extension for the route

The 551 was a Sacriston to Shields bus via Chester, Birtley and Washington 

It was curtailed at Chester Le Street at one point

I can remember as a boy going to byermoor school and catching the bus going through Sunnyside to Newcastle route number 33.i think it came from Consett.

(16 Jul 2026, 12:50 pm)X919 WGR wrote Its had a weird history the ToonLink however, the 47 actually left the ToonLink brand to be apart of the RedKite brand in 2015 when the Dealer Stock Gemini 2s were purchased. 
I think the 31/32 then had a small run with the Omnicity ToonLink before it changed to the X30/X31


As for the previous post mentioning the Blaydon Racers. That had a lot more routes linked to it when it was allocated with the Super Pointers. 
That phase of Blaydon Racers had the Old 10, 11, 31, 32, 48, 49, 49A

---

Yeah the Black Cats brand (Red 2017 edition) was a mess.

It felt that whatever was not branded in Sunderland at that time became Black Cat branded. 2, 2A, 33, 33A, 35, 35A, 39, 238, 516 (South Shields).
4 Different Vehicle types also for that network. The Daimler Streetlites, Scania Solars, Optare Solo and Solo SRs.


The much earlier edition of Black Cats wasnt as bad. 26, 26A, 36A, 36C. That Dennis Dart version of the brand had its small Nexus "takeover" when they put the Nexus Logo over the Black Cats logo so it could work for the 516 in South Shields

And the 41 and 42, that would of been round about the mid 2000's, not sure if it was Blaydon Racers by that point, i just remember it being a Yellow long variant of the Dart (like the 53/54)

(16 Jul 2026, 9:54 am)Panasonic44 wrote Totally agree about 527 to Central Station as well as 526,528 and (532 Eldon Square underground bus station to Fellgate even old Northern bus station before it moved to Eldon Squre.

I do wish they should have left those 
alone.

Old South Tyneside services 1970s/80s from bus stations in Newcastle.
Worswick Street Bus Station, X2, 520,521,522,524 to South Shields, 523 to Luke's Lane, 525, 526, 527 to Marsden, 528 to Seaburn.
Marlborough Crescent (now stands the Centre for Life) 529 to South Shields 
Eldon Square 533 to South Shields 
Ridley Place (Side of City Hall/Baths) for a short while was the 533 to South Shields.