Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire

[bramptontrev]

RE: Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire
Carlisle today about 12.20 - B10Ms were out and about - passed by the bus station and

20219 P219HBD was parked with 685 Newcastle on its display - later saw it at The Sands Brampton just before 17.00 on its way back to Carlisle having done a Newcastle round trip.
20960 R960XVM came and went on 38 Silloth
20456 departed Not in Service and a few minutes later was heading out of Carlisle showing 9 Crossgate - presumably the 12.30 94 departure.

ex Manchester S reg MAN was having its cooling system topped up with copius amounts of water.

Also since New Year I have only seen 3 Arriva 685 workings in Brampton and none have been the regular R-KRG reg coaches 1201-1205 - one was the usual V reg substitute (1206), one V reg 1212 branded Coast and Castles and one V or W reg service bus.

So I wonder whether the S reg Stagecoach coaches and the R reg Arriva coaches are now becoming near end of life for the 685 route and service?