Friday Flashback ~ June 2008

For this week's Flashback Friday we revisit June 2008 with our first photo being of a rare visit by a Hedingham vehicle to Great Yarmouth's Beach Coach Station on the 18th. EK51 JAU is a Plaxton Paragon bodied Volvo B10M-62 which was new to them in January 2002 and subsequently exhibited at various events including Showbus and Brighton Coach Rally.

Two days later and the adjoining Nelson Road North was graced with the appearance of Ambassador Travel's Volvo B10M-60 G512 MNG. New in April 1990, it appears to be on a contract working.

We now move to Norwich Riverside on 23rd June where Anglian's C75 CHM is observed following a schools duty. The Leyland Olympian was new to London Transport in June 1986 entering service at Plumstead Garage. On privatisation, in late 1994, it became part of the Stagecoach Selkent fleet and was subsequently sold to Ensignbus. Sanders Coaches acquired the ECW bodied decker in January 2002 and by September 2006 it had passed to Anglian where it lasted in service until 2008

The final photo is of Norwich Bus Station on the same day with different coloured vehicles present. On the right is First's Transbus ALX400 32483 AU53 HKA on the Harford P&R whilst on the left is Norfolk County Council's Irisbus Agoraline OY53 RFV on the Airport P&R

Roy

Great Yarmouth Branding

Following my last post, Aaron Martin has been in contact regarding the use of former South Yorkshire Mainline Volvo B7RLE 69017 SF55 UAK on the 8 to the James Paget Hospital earlier today. It has also recently acquired Great Yarmouth branding.

My thanks to Aaron for the report and photo

Gorleston High Street Diverts

With Anglian Water carrying out further excavation work, Gorleston High Street is currently closed between Back Chapel Lane and Trafalgar Road East. This means all bus services are being excluded from using the High Street and are instead traveling via Beccles Road and Church Road to resume their usual route.at the roundabout next to Gorleston Parish Church.

Yesterday I wandered along Church Road to get some photos and First's Wright Eclipse Gemini 37024 YJ06 XKN passed me on its way to Great Yarmouth (and ultimately Norwich) on the X1 Coastlink service

Unmistakeably heading in the opposite direction was First Ipswich branded Volvo B7RLE 66987 KX05 MHV on the 8 to the James Paget Hospital

It was noticeable that a significant number of the type were in use on the route with three of the South Yorkshire contingent being observed including latest arrival 69045 SF55 UBE heading for Caister. Mainline liveried 69017 was also out earlier in the day on the 6 to Bradwell.

Coastlink branded Enviro400s were also out in force on the divert as this photo of 33814 Y63LKC shows of it on the X1 to Lowestoft.

The diversions are expected to be in place until 6th November

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 28th October 2020

Just the one entry affecting local bus services in our area in today's East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report.

First Eastern Counties has retrospectively amended the timetable of its X2/X21/X22 Lowestoft Bus Station to Norwich City Centre service from the 28th September 2020

The latest Notices and Proceedings Report is available to view here.

Roy

Fourth Wright Eclipse Identified

Following the permanent transfer of ex South Yorkshire Mainline liveried Volvo B7RLE 69017 SF55 UAK to First's Caister Road depot on Monday evening, the second expected Wright Eclipses has now shown itself.

It was originally intended to be 69029 SF55 UAX but the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry and conspired to ensure it didn't take place after all!

Instead similar 69045 SF55 UBE made the journey to the east coast and is pictured here inside Caister Road depot yesterday

This makes it the fourth of the original thirteen that are now based here; the other two being 69033 SF55 UBT and 69046 SF55 UBG.

My thanks to First Great Yarmouth for the information and photo

Roy

North Norfolk Outing

Yesterday was one of those now rare day outings with the camera - probably the first since the Covid-19 lockdown began. The end of the month coincides with the cessation of  Autumn Services on the North Norfolk Railway, so I planned to get a day in for a steam fix! However, during the last couple of weeks there has been rarely a day where rain hasn't been experienced (or forecast) so Monday looked the best day for no rain. BUT it still did!!

Armed with camera and lunch, I decided to look in at Cromer first to see the Rail Head Treatment Train (see twitter feed for photo) and get some pictures prior to heading for Sheringham. I didn't plan for the slow queue into the latter though but arrived in plenty of time.

Bus activity at Cadogan Road was initially very quiet but the number of arrivals gradually picked up with the Coasthopper branded bus standing out among the usual Sanders livered vehicles.

After spending some time there, I drove on to Sheringham for the railway where I was frustrated that access to platforms weren't allowed to the general public - quite understandable though. So I decided to park up at the Golf Links level crossing beside the line and consume lunch prior to the 12:10 steam departure. Half way through my first roll the audible warning alarms sounded and I got out just in time to witness the railcar arriving from Holt. Lunch was consumed in plenty of time prior to the steam train passing (see Twitter feed for photo)

I returned to Sheringham's Station Approach to obtain more photos with Sanders Coaches Optare Olympus Minerva PN09 EMJ awaiting time for its departure to Holt on the 44. Immediately behind was VDL/Wright Pulsar YJ10 DJU

All in all an enjoyable day out despite the 10 minute burst of rain!

Roy

Seeing Red

First Norwich Green Line passengers were seeing red today when their bus turned up for its 15A duty. The usual Green Line branded vehicle had been replaced by Red Line Volvo B7RLE 66850 MX05 CHD

My thanks to Aaron Martin for the information and photo

Roy