Bus Event - East Anglia Transport Museum

My 100th blog post coincides with my visit to the East Anglia Transport Museum's Bus Event held today at their Carlton Coleville Museum. Despite a later than hoped for start, I still found a wide variety of vehicles present and operating on a lovely warm sunny day.

The first vehicle noted was Norfolk Green's ex Reading Optare Spectra YJ03UMK heading southwards over Lowestoft's bascule bridge to the museum. She was also the first vehicle I photographed on arrival. YJ03UMK (number 5 in the fleet) was acquired by Norfolk Green in January this year and has been named Frances Burney

Also active were all the three former Great Yarmouth buses including the museum's AEC Reliance AEX85B, numbered 85 in the Great Yarmouth fleet

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Two of Lowestoft's former buses were also seen offering rides to the enthusiasts - AEC Swift 4 YRT898H and AEC Regent 21 GBJ192

Former Eastern Counties’ vehicles were also evident with my journey from the railway station to the museum being provided by former Bristol LFS Lodekka GNG125C. Also operating on excursions was single deck RLE864 WNG864H.

 Star of the show for me though was former Eastern Counties RE896 SVF896G which looked very smart in the afternoon sun. I can remember these operating in and out of Great Yarmouth's Wellington Road depot.

Another Eastern Counties single decker making an appearance was Bristol L5G LL711 KNG711 seen here on the left at the Chapel Road turning area at the museum.

The preserved Ipswich vehicle was Atlantean 6 MRT6P (shown on the right) which was new to Ipswich Borough Transport in 1976

 Preserved Eastern National vehicles new to me were Leyland Tiger 1126 A695OHJ and Bristol VR 3072 KOO790V

Other interesting vehicles on display included Carters Coach Services’ Lodekka FS6G 314PFM, (seen below)

Sunderland Corporation Transport's Crossley 13 GR9007 (complete with 'Shop at Binns' front advert -see top of blog) and former Mexborough and Swinton's ECW bodied Leyland Olympian number 658 A658OCX (below)

There were also two Westcliff on Sea examples present - ECW bodied Bristol K5G AJN825 (shown below) and Leyland National YEV307S. The latter was restored by Colne Estuary Preserved Buses.

 Trolleybuses active at the museum included 1959 built Bournemouth Corporation Sunbeam No 288 YIJ286. It has Weymann bodywork.

1939 built Blackpool railcoach No 11 was also in action  and provided an enjoyable ride to Hedley Grove and back. I just had to use the opportunity to reverse the seats on the return journey!

Also in use was Sheffield ‘Roberts’ Tram No.513 which is currently on loan from the Beamish Museum

Anglian was operating a StreetLite (or Lamposts as they are affectionately known to enthusiasts!) on a shuttle service to its Beccles depot to view its vehicles on display there.

After an enjoyable afternoon at the museum, it was soon time for the journey back home with another former Eastern Counties bus providing the power – this time I secured a top deck front seat on Bristol VR 385 OCK985K!

Finally, my thanks to all the East Anglia Transport Museum staff and volunteers for their efforts in providing some interesting vehicles and making it an enjoyable afternoon’s visit. Not all the vehicles have been reported here but most of them will appear on my Flickr site in the next few days

I am already looking forward to next year’s event when the museum will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the closure of Lowestoft’s Eastern Coach Works