Activity At J&M Preservations

J&M Preservations' latest acquisition is Volvo B10BLE / Wright Renown T125 OAH from Dan's Coach Travel based near Stowmarket.



New in March 1999, it was originally delivered to Ambassador Travel for use on Norwich Park & Ride duties. Subsequently it saw service with Blackburn Transport before joining Transdev Lancashire United as fleet number 205.

York Pullman purchased it in 2017 working local routes and contracts including the York–Tadcaster corridor, along with school services. Most recently, the Volvo operated with Dan’s Coach Travel in Suffolk, carrying the registration B21 DCT, before being secured for preservation.

The group have also been busy recently removing reusable parts off ex First Bath double decker 32284 WR03 YZT to keep its former First Eastern Counties Volvo B7TL 30887 W742 DWX running. Fully stripped, the former made its final journey to Geoff Ripley & Son earlier this week

My thanks to Mason Lee for the information and photos

Roy

Sizewell C Depot Plans

David Slater draws my attention to an item appearing on the RouteOne magazine this week which may be of interest.



It reports plans to create a 150 strong zero emission bus fleet at a depot in Ipswich to support the transport of the workforce for the Sizewell C project. If accepted it will see the expansion of its current site at Ransomes Europark estate in the Suffolk town. A planning application is to be submitted soon with a decision expected in the spring. Further information can be gained by visiting the website here.

My thanks to David for the information. Photo supplied by Mark Doggett featuring one of the hydrogen powered Wright StreetDecks at Sizewell in March last year

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 18th February 2026

There are quite a few entries in the latest East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report affecting some local bus services.

First Eastern Counties is to cancel two services effective from 28th March 2026 - the 903 between Ormesby and Flagg High School plus the 913 from Rackheath to Broadland High School, Hoveton.

Sanders Coaches has altered the route, stopping places and timetable of the following six services from 1st February 2026.

9/9A Station Approach, Sheringham to Oak Street, Fakenham.

44 Heath Drive, Holt to Tesco Store on Cromer Road in Sheringham.

56 Station Approach, Sheringham to Easton/Otley College.

66 Red Hart, Bodham to Sheringham Primary School.

CH1 Cadogan Road, Cromer to Quay, Wells-next-the-Sea.

NC1 Holt to Norwich City Football Club.

City To Coast Day Tours of Staines-Upon-Thames has been granted approval to use Hayward United Farmers Limited’s premises at Benacre Road, Ellough in Beccles for one vehicle. The new licence authorisation will be five vehicles.

The full Report can be viewed here soon

Roy

Today’s First Activity

From a comment on a previous post concerning the delivery of former First Kernow double deckers to First Eastern Counties, a tenth Volvo B9 was also dispatched for Norwich but broke down on the way. The errant bus was 36175 BD11 CFZ which was subsequently towed to Roundtree Way depot and is shown here in Luke Champeny’s photo.

A line up of some of the new ex First Kernow arrivals was observed by Luke in their many colours earlier today. Apparently three of the ex Doncaster B9s have already been sent away for a repaint.

Meanwhile, First Great Yarmouth has on loan Volvo B9 36176 BD11 CGE (pictured at the James Paget Hospital on the X11 to Belton earlier) together with Wright StreetDecks 35199 SK16 GVY (seen at Norwich Bus Station also today on the X11) plus 35287 SL67 VXR.

Many thanks to Luke for the information and photos

Roy

Red Olympus

One of the last London red liveried double deckers with Konectbus made an appearance in Norwich earlier today.

Optare Olympus bodied ADL Enviro400 651 LX58 CXB was noted on a staff shuttle in the city’s Castle Meadow.

Thanks to Dan High for the photo.

Roy

On Their Way

Yesterday Riviera Photography was on a bridge at Cullompton on the M5 in some silly weather capturing some of the First Kernow buses venturing north for the next stage of their life.



The first photo features four of those heading for First Eastern Counties with Doncaster liveried 36222 BD12 SZY leading with ex Norwich 36173 BD11 CFX, 36226 BD12 TBO and 36221 BJ12 VXE following closely behind.



The next two also show Volvo B9s, also in Doncaster colours, in the form 36221 BJ12 VXE and 36225 BD12 TAV.



The final picture sees 36223 BD12 SZZ with 36174 BDY with the later still in its First Norwich livery.



My thanks to Riviera Photography for consent to use the photos.

Roy

StreetLite Repaint

A First Eastern Counties Wright StreetLite appeared in Norwich's Castle Meadow earlier today on its first day in service following its repaint.



It was 47507 SN64 CRJ and I had a couple of reports and pictures sent in with Dan High's photo being the first received (above) to be followed around a second later by Harry Holmes (below).



My thanks to both of them for the reports and photos.

Roy