Village Contract Sightings

My home village of Ormesby St Margaret has recently gained a stop for vehicles on a Bernard Matthews contract run to the factory at Great Witchingham. Hirst's Farm in the village is home to workers for its farm and its seems many are now helping out with the Christmas rush elsewhere.

Ensignbus Loanee 34432 YX66WLH was pictured awaiting its passengers this afternoon outside the Farm.  (Aaron M)

Various Norwich based vehicles have also been noted on the route including Turquoise Line branded versions amongst others.

36172 BD11CFV is pictured heading out of the village yesterday heading back towards Great Witchingham with workers aboard.

Many Thanks to Aaron for all the updates and Photo.

Grahame.

All Aboard The Playbus

A rather damp morning in the town was brightened up by the sighting of a very colourful Double Decker parked near St. Nicholas Church.

East Anglian Play Bus Co. was set up by friends and fellow paramedics, Lee Marshall and Adam Wright, from Great Yarmouth, in July this year. 

Complete with Ball pit, Slide and Sensory lighting if offers a different experience for children and soft play areas.

It has three seperate levels and can accomodate up to 20 children at one time.

Its introduction was delayed due to Covid but after sourcing the correct vehicle it was converted by a company in Liverpool.

 Since its launch this summer, bookings have been rolling in for the mobile play bus at events, parties and private functions. 

The vehicle itself is LJ03MBY a Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini new to Arriva London as VLW 151 It then passed to Aintree Coach Lines before being aquired for its conversion.

Many Thanks to Lee Marshall for use of his photos.

Grahame.

City Sights

First visit to Norwich for a while with the camera, a bit of a let down due to the weather and winter sun not helping but i managed a few and grabbed both of Sanders new deckers which was a bonus!

 

 

LL71SHA is one of two new Volvo B5TL/Wright for Sanders, the other being SA71SAN, both were working the X44 service between Norwich and Sheringham today.

Red Line liveried Volvo B9TL 36198 BN12WNY was noted in the Bus Station working Excel service B to Peterborough, its journey was cut short and only went as far as Kings Lynn.

Coach Services of Thetford had Enviro 200 SN63NBB working the 37A service another which had eluded me on previous trips.

Konectbus ADL Enviro 400 SN61CZX was working the 5B to Wroxham and like many vehicles in the city is carrying a large red dog on the side for Christmas!

Grahame.

Service Alterations Registered ~ 24th November 2021

Today's Notices and Proceedings Report, published by the East of England Traffic Commissioner, includes timetable changes to some local First Eastern Counties services

They are the 11/11A, 12/12A between Norfolk & Norwich Hospital and Sprowston/ Wroxham plus the 14/14B, 15 /15A, 15B, 905 Wymondham to Wroxham/ Blofield Heath/ Lingwood. The changes took effect from 14th November 2021

The full Notices and Proceedings Report can be viewed here soon

Roy

Swift X1

Recently transferred on loan to Caister Road, Ipswich based Volvo B7RLE 66950 WX55 TZM was observed on X1 duty at Norwich Bus Station earlier today.



Dan High was our man on the scene at the entrance to the bus station and my thanks to him for the photos supplied.

Roy

Last Of Isle of Man Trio Goes

The last of the three former Isle of Man Lowlander double deck buses has been taken out of service by Sanders Coaches. 106 PM03 EHU joins 108 PM03 EMJ awaiting its fate whilst the third example, 107 PM03 EHR, is stored in the main yard at Holt.

My thanks to LiamS for the photo and information

Roy

Return To The City

Tuesday witnessed my first visit to Norwich City Centre in just under two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic! It was good to get the camera out to record sightings once more and it was noticeable that my 'new' mobile phone took better quality photos than the camera - will have to ask Santa for a replacement!

The first photo is Alfa Travel's Mercedes Benz Tourismo 111 BV19YFF picking up visitors to the city at the entrance to the Castle Mall Shopping Centre.

After some further photos at Castle Meadow, I made my way to the Bus Station along St Stephens Street where I noted Simonds' Volvo B9R / Caetano Levante SLK 886 (formerly FJ11 MLE) on its way to Roydon.

Being mid afternoon there were a number of vehicles laying over at the Bus Station including Konectbus Optare Versa 306 YJ60 KGV and ADL Enviro200MMC 202 YX69 NPG alongside First Eastern Counties 'excel' Scania 36917 YN69 XZX

I returned to St Stephens Street with latest First arrival Volvo B7TL 32333 LK53 LYT appearing on a UTCN (University Technical College Norfolk) contract working

Another interesting sighting was that of Konect's red East Lancs Myllennium 509 PN02 XCL heading for Swanton Morley

The final photo, taken with the mobile phone camera, shows one of Sanders Coaches new Volvo 5TLs in the form of 126 LL71 SHA on the X44 service to Sheringham

Roy