Emergency Rail Replacement

With Reedham Swing Bridge braking down but remaining open to river traffic, Anglia Railways quickly arranged rail replacement services between Lowestoft and Norwich at short notice earlier today.

Lowestoft- based Angies Tours (P J Overy) immediately stepped into the breach by providing at least two coaches. The 14:17 departure was provided by Scania K410EB6/Caetano Levante BV17 GOU which was new to De Courcey of Coventry in March 2017.

The second coach observed was Neoplan Tourliner Y24 TEY, thought to be the 15:48 rail replacement. Its registration recognises Angies' associated Colchester-based business Teys Tours.

My thanks to Tim Miller for the report and photos.

Roy

New Flixbus Service

David Slater reports that a new Flixbus service started today with the 950 from Heathrow Airport to Norwich. 

The first northbound trip (06:00 from Heathrow) was worked by Cozy Travel of Sandy's OU23 CYM which was seen at Fiveways, Barton Mills. It is a Neoplan Tourliner that had been new to Whippet Coaches in July 2023 and still carries Whippet fleet number FX44. After Whippet Coaches ended their four year Flixbus contract Cozy’s apparently took on the lease of the six former Whippet Neoplan coaches.

Departing Heathrow (Central) at 0600 this trip travels via Luton Airport Parkway (0650-0655); Cambridge (Parkside) (0810-0820); and Thetford (0920-0925) arriving Norwich (Bus Station) at 1015. he full service has six daily trips each way although not all serve Cambridge Trumpington Park and Ride (TP&R) and Norwich (University of East Anglia).

Departures from Norwich are:

0025 arriving Heathrow 0430

0200 arriving Heathrow 0610

0335 arriving Heathrow 0800

1100 arriving Heathrow 1530 (omits UEA and TP&R)

1250 arriving Heathrow 1720 (omits UEA and TP&R)

1500 arriving Heathrow 1920 (omits UEA)

 

Departures from Heathrow are:

0600 arriving Norwich 1015 (omits TP&R and UEA)

0740 arriving Norwich 1215

0940 arriving Norwich 1405 (omits UEA)

1740 arriving Norwich 2210 (omits TP&R and UEA)

1910 arriving Norwich 2330

2120 arriving Norwich 0140

The service is operated by Transport Made Simple/ Central Connect from their Diss depot with the the Neoplans currently on loan to them until new vehicles arrive.

I am grateful to David for the information and photos.

Roy

Swaffham Observations

Earlier today regular contributor Dan High decided to observe bus activity in Harry Hill’s favourite Norfolk town of Swaffham.

First Eastern Counties Scania N250UD / ADL Enviro400 City 36910  YN69 XZP was being employed on the B excel service to Kings Lynn, Wisbech and Peterborough.

Seen at the bus stop was Konectbus ADL Enviro400 622 SN65 OAA destined for Dereham on the 11 route.

My thanks to Dan for the photos.

Roy

Sanders Acquires Semmence

Sanders Coaches have announced their acquisition of H Semmence & Company of Wymondham. The takeover means that additional operational coaches join the fleet together with the majority of the Semmence staff.

Sanders Plaxton Panther bodied Volvo B8R CE24SAN outside their Bessemer Road depot
(Photo: Nick Farrow)

All existing Semmence operations will be moved to Sanders recently built Bessemer Road depot in Norwich. All contracts and private charters are to continue as normal and will be completed by a mixture of vehicles acquired from Semmence together with some of Sanders own fleet.

Optare Solo YK04 KVU, when with Ambassador Travel, has been acquired by Sanders

Fleet wise the following become part of the Sanders fleet although not all will be operational:-

YO54 DRX	Dennis Javelin
KIG 8457	Volvo Sunsundegui
KIG 8426	Jonckheere Mistral
JL09 RSL	Plaxton Panther
YN06 RVE	Volvo
BF63 ZSK	Volvo B9 Caetano
BF63 ZSL	Volvo B9 Caetano
EHZ 5362	Volvo B9 Caetano
FJ09 DXC	Scania Caetano
Y176 KCS	Jonckheere Mistral
KIG 7738	Volvo Sunsundegui
KIG 1890	Jonckheere Mistral
PN06 TVP	Iveco
YK04 KVU	Optare Solo
AU02 VXY	Volvo

Volvos BF63 ZSK and KIG 7738 when they were both operated by Ambassador Travel

As part of the takeover Norfolk County Council school bus routes and local bus services will be operated by Sanders Coaches with effect from Sunday 24th May 2026.

My thanks to Kieran Smith at Sanders for his help with the preparation of this post.

Roy

Not Another One!

Another of First Great Yarmouth's Wright StreetDeck Electroliners has arrived at Norwich's Roundtree Way depot.



The latest is 36696 BF26 ZVJ which is seen here in a photo provided by Steve N. Thanks Steve.

Roy

Blue Wednesday

There appeared to be a predominance of blue in the photos sent by Dan High regarding Norwich activity yesterday.



Simonds branded Volvo B7TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini SN55 AGV was employed on the PR3 Postwick Park & Ride.



Seen at the same location is First Eastern Counties Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini BD11 CFY. It had recently returned from a stint with First Kernow and was acting as a staff bus.



The third photo features First Eastern Counties open topper 33427 LK58 KHL, another former First Kernow bus.

A fourth blue bus is Konectbus ADL Enviro200 YY64 TXP is shown here with fleet number 785 which seems to indicate the fleet is/has received a re-numbering.

My thanks to Dan for the photos

Roy

Dolphin School Trips

Two Norwich-based Dolphin Travel vehicles appeared on school trips to Great Yarmouth earlier today.



I first spotted their BMC 220 YJ56 XSR turning on South Beach Parade, while Volvo B12B / Plaxton Panther BU54 DAY was later noted outside the SeaLife Centre on Marine Parade.

Roy