Jubilee Disposal

Rollesby based Jubilee Coaches has sold Plaxton Premiere bodied Dennis Javelin N43AHH to Semmence Coaches of Wymondham. The coach, which also operated as L333JCR when with Jubilee, has reverted to its previous registration.

My thanks to Kevan Portas for the information and to Will Drake for the photo.

Roy

First Lowestoft Arrival

Not to be outdone by its near neighbour, First Lowestoft has also received an addition to its allocation in the form of  ALX400 bodied Volvo B7TL 30913 W768DWX

It arrived at the Suffolk depot from Norwich on Sunday and the following day was employed on the 106 Lowestoft town route and also appeared on the 14:40 X22 Lowestoft to Norwich and return. The following day it was on the 99 route and it must have enjoyed the Southwold sea air as Simon Bartram caught it returning to Lowestoft on the 13:15 ex Southwold yesterday.

Simon also reported the unusual working of the 101 service from Lowestoft Bus Station for the Gunton Estate during yesterday lunchtime. It was in the hands of the newest decker in the Lowestoft fleet (X1 deckers excepted of course!) Volvo B9 36215 BJ12VWX.

My thanks to Simon for the reports and photos

Roy

First Great Yarmouth Arrival

Yesterday afternoon I was told of the arrival from Sheffield of 37154 YN06URH at First's Caister Road depot. The Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TL was new to First South Yorkshire in June 2006 and spent some time in Scotland having been transferred north during November 2009. It had subsequently returned to its native county.

On the repairs front, Lowestoft's Volvo B9TL 37576 AU58EDC is in the workshops awaiting gearbox attention. Others in attendance include 37275 LK58EDJ (differential) and 30954 YJ51RDO.

My thanks to First for the information and Will Drake for the photo

Roy

Plea For Help To Restore Bedford SBG

Way back in June 2016 John Wakefield made me aware of the availability of long lost Bedford SBG / Duple Vega SPW999 on ebay. (See  Long Lost Bedford SBG Now On Ebay). I have subsequently been contacted by Gary Palmer of Cromer Classic Cars who is currently considering its purchase.

See the original post for more photos

Gary says 'I have a unit and a commercial pit that would take the coach however we restore cars. So this is a an appeal from myself to ask if there is any volunteers out there that would love to help me restore this lovely bus or coach (unsure what to call it it at present) I can supply all the materials and endless cups of tea.

I do have a full time mechanic but he can lend a hand when can, but he is book up restoring other people cars ( this of course helps to pay for the unit etc). I would love to see this Bedford grace the roads of Cromer and Norfolk again.' 

If you are willing to assist Gary to take on this project would you please contact him direct via email at cromerclassiccars@gmail.com. or by calling him on 01263 510978. The Cromer Classic Cars website can be found at www.cromerclassiccars.com

SPW999 was new to Babbage trading as Green Grey of Cromer in 1955. It has a further local connection in that it went to Reynolds of Caister in April 1962 and in circa 1991 was sold to a private owner near North Walsham.

My thanks to Gary for contacting us and I hope that he will be successful. My thanks also to John Wakefield for the original photo and information.

Roy

East Suffolk Bus Changes

Since the announcement by Konectbus to cease some services in the Halesworth / Southwold area there has been subsequent developments to continue to provide services by other operators.

The X88 service in Southwold when operated by Anglianbus in November 2017

We have already mentioned changes being made by First in our post of 26th February (see First Latest). Borderbus are also planning to introduce two new services to replace the Suffolk County Council funded Konectbus 90 route. The new timetables for replacement 522/524 services can be found on the BorderBus website. The former runs from Halesworth to Beccles whilst the latter operates from Southwold to Beccles, via Brampton, from 23rd April 2019.

The Konectbus 90 ceases to run after 20th April 2019.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 13th March 2019

Having returned from the south coast of England, I am pleased to bring you details of today’s Notices and Proceedings Report published by the East of England Traffic Commissioner.

Whilst there are no entries affecting local services, it is interesting to note that Thetford based Coach Services are to run an open top bus tour of Norwich from 1st April 2019 to 10th May 2019. The daily OT1 route will be a limited stop daily service commencing at Castle Meadow. Meanwhile David McMaster of Awaydays is to amend the timetable of his city circular tour.

PF Travel of Woodbridge has gained approval to use premises at Grove Road in the town for five vehicles subject to certain conditions.

The full East of England Traffic Commissioner's Report will soon be available to view on the Gov.uk website.

Roy

Worthing Observations

I wondered into Worthing town centre this afternoon, via the sea front, with many sightings recorded in the latter area. On the way, whilst heading to Brighton Road, I glimpsed an unidentied Stagecoach London decker which I subsequently saw going through the bus wash at Worthing depot.

Almost immediately I saw another heading my way in the shape of Alexander Dennis Enviro400 19879 LX12DAA displaying Rail Replacement on its destination screen. This time the camera was at the ready and it also disappeared to the depot and went through the washer. Southern Rail are undertaking improvements in the Lewis area and hence the need for replacement services.

Parked up in the depot yard was a Stagecoach South Alexander Dennis Enviro400MMC due for Rail Replacement duties. It was 10955 SN18KNW normally in use on the 700 Coastliner and is pictured later leaving the depot to take up its next working.

Compass Bus Alexander Dennis Enviro200 YX67UYF was being employed on the 16 route to Lancing Broadway which runs at hourly intervals from West Tarring.

Also operating every hour is the Metrobus service to Crawley Bus Station and Scania OmniCity 6559 YN07LKF was working the 16:30 departure from Worthing Pier.

Roy