Service Alterations Registered ~ 26th June 2019

Michael and Anita Babbs have registered a cancellation in this week’s Notices and Proceedings Report published by the East of England Transport Commissioner.

They will cease to operate the IP512 service between Garrison Lane Coach Park in Felixstowe  and Kesgrave High School from 31st August 2019.

The full report will shortly be available to view on the government website

Roy

First Dart Latest

Two Alexander Pointer bodied Dennis Dart SLFs have recently received attention at First Great Yarmouth’s Caister Road depot.

First Lowestoft’s 42911 WX05RVV has had a new fuel tank fitted whilst Great Yarmouth’s 42919 EU05AUL is receiving a new engine.

My thanks to First for the information and photos.

Roy

Latest from First

A few movements to report over the past week or so.  Firstly ALX400 30947 YJ51RRU has moved to Great Yarmouth from Norwich along with recent arrival from Leeds 37044 YJ06XLU which has joined sister Gemini 37043 YJ06XLT at Caister Road. These moves to assist with summer service updates.

37043 now wearing Great Yarmouth Fleetnames, seen here at Caister Road

37044 working the 1 service to Lowestoft pictured at Ormesby Royal Oak.

Repainting of the Ipswich fleet is now taking place with the introduction of the new "Ipswich Reds" livery, Enviros 44517 & 44519 Have been treated already. Norwich Volvo B7RLE 66824 MX05CEV has been loaned to the Suffolk Fleet to act as cover for the repaint programme.

66824 at Foundation Street Depot shortly after arrival. (Joe Thorpe)

Many Thanks to First for the info and to Joe Thorpe for use of his Photo at Ipswich.

Grahame.

Service Alterations Registered ~ 19th June 2019

Paul Simon Whincop has registered a couple of cancellations in this week’s Notices and Proceedings Report published by the East of England Transport Commissioner.

He will cease to operate TM01 between Aldeburgh and Framingham plus the TM2 from Halesworth Road, Rayden to Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham from 1st September 2019.

The full report will shortly be available to view on the government website

Roy

Tuesday in Montreal

We arrived in Montreal earlier today with very a french influence being felt with street names in french. However, a piece of England was present in the shape of two former London Transport AEC Routemasters converted to open toppers. NML642E and NML639E are both operated by Gray Line.

Whilst heading to the river front I crossed a railway line and thought it would be great to get a photo of a train travelling along the line. On our return we heard a train horn followed by the sighting of bright headlights and, yes, I did get a photo of two Canadian National Railways GP40-2LW 9515 and GO9RM 7229 diesels hauling a short freight train.

Roy

Rockport ~ Thousand Islands

On our way from Toronto to Ottawa we stopped off at Rockport where we had a short cruise around The Thousand Islands - apparently where the salad dressing of the same name was created. They comprise a group of almost 1,900 islands on the Canada - US border in the St Lawrence River as it emerges from Lake Ontario. Further information HERE

With it being a Sunday the place was quite busy with coaches, though it was not quite the same as Great Yarmouth’s Beach Coach Station!!

One of the later arrivals was this example from the Coach Canada fleet - a Provost H3-45 built in 2013

Roy

Toronto Transport

Our second day in Toronto allowed some spare time for exploration after a visit to the CN Tower which was conveniently located next to the railway museum. Some locomotives were exhibited outside including Canadian National Railways steam loco No 6213

The leisure time also provided the opportunity for some photos and of particular interest was the impressive Toronto streetcar system. A network of ten routes are operated and further details of the history of the system can be seen HERE

There is also the Go Transit system which provides commuter services linking towns across the greater Toronto network. Plus the inevitable Greyhound which in this case is no. 6281 an MCI 102-DL3 coach built and delivered in 1999

Roy