Scottish Surprise

The Scottish Vintage Bus Museum held a special 'Low Floor and Late 90s' themed event at their Dunfermline site earlier today

One of the buses present was one which operated services in East Anglia, Volvo B10BLE T125 OAH. It was new in March 1999 to Ambassador Travel where it was employed on Norwich Park & Ride duties. It then moved to Blackburn Transport and later Transdev Lancashire United as their fleet number 205.

In 2017 it was purchased by York Pullman, where it worked local routes and contracts, including the York–Tadcaster corridor. Most recently, it operated with Dan’s Coach Travel in Suffolk and some of the operator's stickers can still be found inside the vehicle.

After over two decades of service across various operators, T125 OAH was acquired for preservation by Suffolk- based J&M Preservations and subsequently sold on to a Scottish preservationist.

My thanks to Joe Wilson for the photos.

Roy

Gorleston Bus Diverts

Following the closure of High Road in Gorleston by UK Power Networks, buses have been unable to serve the High Street since Thursday of last week.

Buses are being diverted via Church Lane and Beccles Road and here is FirstBus Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 36285 LX59 DBU outside the Kevill Arms on the former with an X1 service to Lowestoft earlier today.

Looking in the opposite direction, towards the church, another FirstBus Volvo B9 36197 BN12 WNX and Coastlink ADL Enviro400 33803 YX63 LJF pass each other.

The new Wright StreetDeck Electroliners were also employed on the diverted 8 route for the first time with 36691 BF26 ZVC shown negotiating the roundabout. One electric bus, however, did a complete circuit of the roundabout as the driver forgot about the closure!

Unfortunately the stops next to and opposite the church caused traffic issues when buses picked up passengers there at the same time!

My thanks to 'Reg Vardy' for the photos.

Roy

Maurice Visits The Seaside

Dan's Coach Travel's Plaxton Panther bodied Volvo B12M E23 DCT paid a visit to the east coast this morning.

Affectionately named Maurice, it was observed by 'Reg Vardy' on North Drive in Great Yarmouth and on the Lower Esplanade at Gorleston.

My thanks to 'Reg' for the information and photo.

Roy

Surprise Visitor

A surprise visitor appeared on Great Yarmouth’s seafront this afternoon in the shape of former Eastern National open top Eastern Coach Works bodied Bristol KSW5G WNO 479.

On loan to Norfolk Vintage Bus Hire, it began life with Westcliff On Sea during 1953. It is seen here being passed by a younger First Eastern Counties open topper from 2008 - Volvo B9TL CRZ 166.

My thanks to ‘Reg Vardy’ for his help with this post.

Roy

Open Top Returns

On Wednesday we reported the repaint of FirstBus former Land’s End Coaster 37796 LX59 CXO in its new First Bus explore livery.

Today it returned to First Great Yarmouth’s Caister Road depot where it is shown in the accompanying photo

Our thanks to Steve N for the information and picture.

Roy

Norwich Today

A couple of photos from Dan High's sightings on Castle Meadow in Norwich earlier today.



The first features Sander Coaches' Caetano Levante bodied Volvo B9R 935 BF63 ZSK providing the 952 service. It wasn't that long ago when it operated National Express services for Great Yarmouth-based Ambassador Travel.



Talking of long distance services, Flixbus liveried Scania Irizar I6s YS25 RKE was observed with its destination showing the 083 service to Birmingham via Cambridge. It is registered to Prospect Coaches of Lye.

Thanks Dan

Roy

Sanders Selection

'Reg Vardy' was out and about in the fine city of Norwich yesterday and provides a selection of photos of some Sanders vehicles.



The first features 526 BV72 KKA, a Volvo B8RLE /MCV eVoRa, exiting Norwich Bus Station on the X55 to North Walsham.



Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B5TL 126 SA71 SAN is seen on Castle Meadow with the X44 to Sheringham.



Heading in the opposite direction was Scania K230UB OmniLink 325 YT11 LPN on its way to the bus station.



Also observed in the city was former Semmence Volvo B9R / Plaxton Panther JL09 RSL which now has Sanders fleet number 933.

My thanks to 'Reg' for the photos.

Roy