Something Completely Different ~ Amended

For those who feel they have overdosed on Reynolds Coaches here is something completely different!

During a quick tour around, I found some coaches of interest at Beach Coach Station, the first being Peelings Coaches' Volvo B12B B12FAH. The coach is the second reincarnation of the registration, having been new to Country Lion of Northampton in 2007.

Another 'local' was Norse's Plaxton Prima bodied Dennis Javelin 7182 YM51WDY, but what caught my attention was two NH plates; Essex based Horizon's NH09LRH was a Setra 415GT-HD, previously with National Holidays, whilst similar NH11CTH is still very much with National Holidays.

My final visit was to Caister Road to see what was on the forecourt and one of the First ALX400 bodied Volvo's recently transferred from Greater Manchester was on display. In fact 30961 YJ51RDV still retains the First Greater Manchester fleet name above the entrance. Something I hadn't notice before.

My thanks to Jonathan Joplin for the updated information regarding his B12FAH - these cherished number plates can be a minefield at times!

Roy

Reynolds Photo Special Part One

Well today sees the hammer coming down on Reynolds Coaches of Caister, The Auction to sell off the fleet is today so i thought i would share some of my photos gathered over the past few years showing some of the many types of vehicles operated by this celebrated Norfolk operator.

First up is DAF/ Caetano Algarve BEZ3135 which was new as K796VPJ, pictured in April 2005.

7289DD is a Van Hool bodied Volvo B10M and seen here at the garage in October 2009, It was aquired by Reynolds in 2001 and was new as H595EBX, It was refurbished in 2012 and repainted into the current silver livery and had a name change from Eleanor to Samantha.

Bova Futura T341NBV was aquired in late 2008 and is pictured above on one of its first outings to Carrow Road for a Norwich City matchday. It went on to gain cherished plate BIG6620 and also a slight name change albeit one letter from Christina to Kristina!

 
Next its back to 2002 and one of my first digital photos, a 3mp Olympus if i remember!. PIL5863 Lady June Fell was a Bedford YNV/Duple new as B136AAV to Youngs of Rampton. it was latterley sold on to Meridian Line Travel

Final one for this part is Mercedes Benz minibus PIL6595 Lady Grace, seen here at Ormesby Road in June 2007 wearing a rather fetching matt grey livery, it was withdrawn not long after this photo was taken.

Part Two to follow.......

Grahame.

Reynolds Viewing Day

This morning I visited Reynolds Coaches Ormesby Road depot for the very last time to see all the 'Ladies' on their viewing day prior to the auction tomorrow.

The Malcolm Harrison promotional vehicle with Charles Reynolds facing the camera

I was impressed with the very professional way it was being handled with all employees smartly presented in their new yellow Hi-Viz tabards with 'Reynolds' emblazoned on the back. Similarly all the coaches were smartly presented both inside and out; something you would expect from a well run and respected company.

Some of the twenty 'Ladies' (with their Lot numbers) who will be auctioned tomorrow 

I spoke with owner Charles Reynolds who had been onsite since 6 this morning and he was still very much involved with things by speaking to visitors and well wishers.

My thanks to auctioneers Malcolm Harrison for allowing me to take photos and to Charles for sparing the time for a chat. We would like to wish Charles all the very best in his retirement.

Roy

Reynolds Retirement Auction

Tomorrow sees the end of an era with the Reynolds Coaches Retirement Auction being held at the company's Ormesby Road premises in Caister on Sea.

Reynolds was Norfolk's oldest coach operator which closed at the end of July after more than 100 years in business.

Owner Charles Reynolds has taken the decision to cease trading following ill health and has no successor to take it over. 

Reynolds Coaches employed a staff of 24 looking after its coach fleet all named after family members or specially nominated VIPs. 

Shropshire based auctioneer Malcolm Harrison is handling the sale of all assets including the current coach fleet

No doubt many will be eagerly sought following Reynolds' surrender of fourteen Norfolk County Council school contracts at the end of the last educational year. The operator has been ferrying children to and from schools for decades

With the help of Colin White, of the Eastern Transport Collection, a list of all the twenty coaches operated by Reynolds at closure can viewed in the Fleet Lists section of our blog.

It seems inconceivable that the sight of a Reynolds coach in its distinctive livery will no longer be seen on the streets in the Great Yarmouth area.

Roy

Gorleston Interlude

A quick visit to Gorleston High Street to get a few things during yesterday afternoon and whilst there I got these shots.

My first is of Excel liveried First Eastern Counties Gemini 37578 AU58EDJ returning to Market Gates from Bradwell on the 6. Unfortunately nothing is shown on the front screen despite many efforts to get a photo showing the display. However, it can be confirmed by looking at the side destination next to the door entrance.

You may remember from a fortnight ago I posted that First Volvo B12M 20514 WV02EUP has returned to Caister Road for driver training purposes. It was also seen yesterday on Church Lane turning into the High Street with L plates afixed.

The final photo is of BorderBus 211 BB06BUS taking the same route to Great Yarmouth's Market Gates. It's the first time I have been able to get a photo of the Scania OmniCity in its new BorderBus livery.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 8th August 2018

This morning's Notices & Proceedings Report, published by the East of England Traffic Commissioner, includes two entries of note.

Our Hire is amending the timetable of its 33 service between North Walsham and Cromer. The changes take effect from 6th September 2018

BorderBus is to alter the route and timetable of its SJL2 service between the Sir John Leman School in Beccles and Oulton Broad from 7th September 2018

The full report will soon be available on the Traffic Commissioner's website

Roy

Returns to Norfolk

A double decker new to a Norfolk operator has returned to the county following a stint on the south coast. Wright bodied DAF DB250 YJ05PXA was new to Konectbus in May 2005 and was used on Norwich Park & Ride services. It is now back in the area with Lynx, Coastal Red following its acquisition from Compass Travel.

Paul Copley saw it at Hunstanton, still in Compass colours, working the 36 service to Wells-next-the-Sea. My last sighting of it was during a visit to Compass Travel's Worthing Depot in February this year. It was taking some time off as the local schools were on half term holiday.

My thanks to Paul for the information and photo.

Roy