Sanders First

Former First Essex Thamesway liveried Volvo B7RLE 69520 BJ11 ECW has passed to Sanders Coaches.

It was observed in Norwich city centre today by Harry Holmes on the 57 service on its first day in use with the operator.

My thanks to Harry for the photo .

Roy

Central Connect Contract

Observed eastbound on Euston Road in Great Yarmouth this afternoon was this Central Connect ADL Enviro400 MMC YY74 OBV about to be employed on a workers contract. 

It had started the day on the B3 service between Eye and Bury St Edmunds’ West Suffolk College.

Roy

Turquoise Move

Following our recent post regarding a number of FirstBus Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TLs being moved from Norwich to Great Yarmouth’s Caister Road depot, one has now arrived at the coast.

It is former First Norwich Turquoise line 36184 BN12 JYG which is seen here prior to leaving its Norwich Roundtree Way depot this morning.

Also present was recently withdrawn Coastal Clipper branded 37565 AU58 ECD.

Roy

EATM Festival of Transport

This weekend saw the East Anglia Transport Museum hold its Festival of Transport and I visited the event at Carlton Colville on Sunday.

I took advantage of the well signposted new park and ride service which was just about full when I arrived just before midday. The ‘ride’ part of the service was provided by First Eastern Counties Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TL 36226 BD12TBO.

On entering the site my attention was drawn to former West Bridgeford UDC Willowbrook Lowbridge bodied AEC Regent III No 21 ORR 140. The undertaking passed to Nottingham City Transport in 1968.

Also in the yard was Pat Burnside’s former Eastern Counties Bristol L5G KNG 711 and ex Eastern National Bristol LDLX6G prototype Lodekka 1541 236 LNO from 1957. Both were bodied at Lowestoft’s Eastern Coach Works.

One of First Great Yarmouth’s ten Wright StreetDeck Electroliners made an appearance. 36098 BF26 ZVL is seen being passed by Danish trolleybus Copenhagen No 5. The Electroliner later completed a number of circuits of the museum with passengers onboard.

Blackpool tram 159 was looking good following its recent repaint and is observed passing the taxi garage and restored telephone box.

Also on display were two BorderBus vehicles - Volvo B8RLE / MCV eVoRa 116 BB75 BUS and Scania CN230UD 205 BB08 PSV.

Our final photo features former Royal Mail Post Bus M736 VSC, a 1995 Iveco Daily with Mellor bodywork.

Roy

Saloon Swap

Two First Lowestoft ADL Enviro200s have moved to First Essex at Colchester with the former receiving two Wright StreetLites in return.

The Enviros are Coastal Reds liveried 44532 SN62 DBO and 44533 SN62 DBV, while the incoming StreetLites are 47643 SN15 AEZ and 47644 SN15 AFA.

My thanks to Steve N for the information.

Roy

Surprise Arrivals

Recently observed in the yard of BorderBus in Beccles are these two double deckers previously operated by Metrobus which is headquartered in Crawley, West Sussex.

The couple are Scania CN270UDs YP09 HWK and YP09 HWG which require some attention prior to entering service.

Roy

Moves Due

It is understood, from various sources, that a small number of FirstBus Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TLs are expected to move from Norwich to Great Yarmouth’s Caister Road depot in the next few days. We will not speculate as to which examples they may be as their identity could be subject to change.

Similar 36226 BD12 TBO and 36190 BN12 JYP are now both Lowestoft based vehicles with the former appearing on shuttle duties between Carlton Colville and the Easr Anglian Transport Museum today.

Meanwhile, ADL Enviro400 33822 YX63 LKM and Volvo B9TL 36282 LX59 DAO have successfully passed their MOTs. Scheduled for theirs next week are 36284 LX59 DBO and Wright StreetLite 47504 SN64 CPY

Roy