Norwich Refugee ~ Response

Following our post of yesterday, Ken Aveyard has been in contact regarding further information and here is the content of his email

I regularly read your blog linking through from Plymothian Transit and was interested in seeing your picture on Thursday of 33156 in Weymouth. As Traveline Data Coordinator for Dorset, Weymouth is a big part of my patch, and I can add more information to your post.

Slowcoaster only ran for one season, in 2017, and was unsuccessful because it was as the name implies a very slow way to traverse the Dorset coast. It ran in and out of a number of holiday camps en route and never generated the business hoped for.

At least two buses received the livery, the other also being second hand 33146 LR02LXB and for the 2018 season they are usually in service on the 502 to Littlesea Holiday Park, or the 4 to Preston which needs double deck buses in summer as it passes Weymouth Bay Holiday Park. At the end of the summer they are likely to lose all the lettering but retain the yellow and brown base colours as these are also used for the Jurassic Coast liveried buses.

I don't know if 33146 was also in Norwich at some point (It was!) but I am attaching a photo I took of it on 5 May 2018 working the 502 to Littlesea. It's not the best shot but it managed to capture the destination which is not always the case.

Many thanks Ken for contacting the blog with the additional information and photo. Ken's Fickr site can be found at. https://www.flickr.com/photos/ucx275/

Roy

Norwich Refugee

David Burdett sent in this shot of a former First Norwich Dennis Trident in Weymouth on Saturday last.

It is of First Wessex 33156 LR02LXP which was observed in its latest Slowcoaster livery. It was new to Centrewest London Buses in June 2002 as their TN33154. It then went to First Eastern Counties in April 2010, prior to moving to First Hamsphire & Dorset (First Wessex) at the beginning of 2017.

The Slowcoaster ran from Weymouth to Bridport, via Portland, visiting various tourist attractions and camp sites on the way.

My thanks to David Burdett for providing the photo

Roy

Photo Op ~ ALX400s

Service Alterations Registered ~ 18th July 2018

This morning's Notices & Proceedings Report, published by the Eastern of England Traffic Commissioner, contains no changes to the local bus network. The full report will be available soon on the Traffic Commissioner's website

Roy

Photo Op ~ Time for a Wash!

Latest From Caister Road

The latest from Caister Road is that the First Great Yarmouth Darts have now returned to service. Both 42921 EU05AUN and Flying Banana 42943 WA06OAS are now back on the road with re-engined 42929 expected to follow by the time you read this.

Plaxton President bodied Volvo B7TL LT52WTM awaits attention in the rear yard at Caister Road

Decker wise, 32676 SN55HFD is back in use whilst the efforts to return 32206 LT52WTM to active service is taking a little bit longer!

As always, my thanks to First Great Yarmouth for the information and photo

Service Alterations Registered ~ 11th July 2018

This morning's Notices & Proceedings Report, published by the East of England Traffic Commissioner, records the surrender of an operator licence held by a well known bus service provider.

With effect from 5th July 2018, Anglian Bus Limited, surrendered its licence bringing a final end to the business established way back in 1981 by David and Christine Pursey. The entry named the directors as David Brown, Martin Dean, Simon Butcher, Jeremy Cooper and David Golding.

The photos show the Anglian Bus Ellough site on 11th July 2010  (yes, exactly 8 years ago!) when it was especially opened to enthusiasts in connection with an event at the East Anglia Transport Museum.

The full Notices and Proceedings Report is expected to be available soon on the Traffic Commissioner's website

Roy