Local Activity

Our Bus Mercedes SF54OUY is again a regular on the Seafront Circular

With today being market day in Great Yarmouth, a visit to the usual haunts was planned for this afternoon.

I decided to visit the tourist area to view the recently re-introduced Seafront Circular operated by Our Bus. As in previous years, Mercedes Benz O814D SF54OUY was the vehicle in use complete with a more professional looking destination screen.

Ipswich Buses VDL/East Lancs 54 PF04WML at Beach Coach Station

A visit to Beach Coach Station revealed 17 vehicles on site; including Ipswich Buses VDL DB250/ East Lancs Lowlander 54 PF04WML. 

Two Shearings' Jonckheere Mistral bodied Volvo B12Ms were also there - 527 MX03AED and 528 MX03AEE both in white.

National Holidays' Setra NH09ORH was also present

Despite the branding,  Anglianbus 550 AO57EZM is heading off
for Norwich on the A47 route

In Market Gates, Anglianbus Scania OmniCity decker 550 AO57EZM was about to work the A47 service to Norwich. She has appeared on the route quite regularly recently, despite her Halesworth - Bungay - Poringland - Norwich 588 branding! 

The Asda shuttles, between the store and Market Gates, were in the hands of Ambassador Travel's Scania/ Wright Axcess-Floline 611 S350SET

Worthing Bus Rally 2013

Former Portsmouth City Transport No 2 LRV992

As part of the Worthing Seafront Festival, the annual bus rally was held in the town yesterday

It was attended by a variety of vehicles reflecting a wide range of operators

I have included some photos of a few of the more interesting vehicles which attended and further photos can be seen on 2013 Worthing Bus Rally Group

The first shows ex Portsmouth City Transport No.2; LRV992 is a 1955 Leyland Titan PD2/12 with Metro Cammell O33/26R bodywork. This vehicle was converted from No.100 in the early 70's as a replacement for the 1935 TD4's. No.2 was itself replaced by a converted Atlantean in 1983, and went on to be operated by Stagecoach and Thames Transit before entering preservation.

Mac Tours Leyland PD2A DHC784E

The second photo shows former Eastbourne Corporation Leyland PD2A-30 No 84 DHC784E. New to Eastbourne in 1963, she was converted to open top six years later.

In 1989 she went to Blackpool Transport in exchange for a Leyland PD3. She then found her way to Mac Tours of Edinburgh.
DHC748E is now owned by the Southdown Historical Vehicle Group

Harrington bodied half cab AEC Regal III PPF492

Next up is a lovely half cab. PPF492 an AEC Regal III with Harrington C37F body. She was new to Surrey Motors of Sutton.as fleet no.36 in 1951

Several former London AEC Routemasters made the journey to Worthing including RM188 VLT188, RM254 VLT254 and RM1955 ALD955B. 

RML 2334 CUV334C also attended, sporting post NBC London Country livery

As expected many ex Southdown

Former Southdown Queen Mary Leyland PD3 FCD294D

buses participated in the rally, including Leyland PD3 FCD294D. As fleet number 294, she was delivered new to Chichester garage in March 1963.

Her apple green and primrose livery last until November 1972 when it was replaced by National Bus Company green with a white band.
After a period as a driver training vehicle in the late 1970s and 1980s she was repainted in Southdown's green and cream in May1989. She was acquired for preservation in July 1995.

Further pictures from the rally can now be seen on the eastnorfolkbus Flickr site

Brighton Buses

Brighton & Hove Mercedes Citaro 111 BD57WDP heads for the Universities

I spent a couple of hours in Brighton yesterday and took a few photos of some of the buses operating along Western Road - one of the main shopping streets

The major operator is Brighton & Hove which continues to operate articulated buses on the 25 route between Portslade and the Universities

Also noted was 1999 Dennis Trident 2/ East

T808RFG on a Brighton City Sightseeing service

Lancs Lolyne T808RFG, an open topper, on a City Sightseeing tour.

Other operators noted included Metrobus and Sussex Bus plus Stagecoach South which were running the very popular 700 Coastliner Service

Other photos taken on the day can also be viewed in the Brighton & Hove set on the eastnorfolkbus Flickr site

Worthing Return

Compass Bus Enviro 200 GX09AGO in South Street, Worthing

Following our early start from Great Yarmouth, we found ourselves in the south coast resort of Worthing by lunchtime yesterday

After a light lunch, I spent a few minutes for some photos in the main shopping street which brought some different operators

First up was the appearance of Worthing-based Compass Bus Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 GX09AGO; shortly followed by another Compass Enviro 200 YN09FNH but in Stagecoach Lancing Route 7 livery! The latter had decals proclaiming 'Compass Bus operating on behalf of Stagecoach'

Metrobus Scania Omnilink 535 YN03WPR also pictured in South Street

Another visitor was Metrobus Scania Omnilink 535 YN03WPR - similar to those transferred from Metrobus to Anglian.

New to Metrobus in August 2003, she was nearing the end of her journey when pictured; the 23 service from Crawley Bus Station to Worthing Pier

Also in evidence were Stagecoach vehicles working the Pulse service in the town centre

An Ambassador Returns

Semmence Volvo 790CVD returns to the town

A former Ambassador Travel coach returned to Great Yarmouth earlier today

H Semmence & Company's 109 790CVD, a Caetano Enigma bodied Volvo B10M-62, was noted at Beach Coach Station this afternoon

New to Ambassador Travel in February 1999 as S798ORY, she moved to Semmence during May 2003. Her cherished registration was applied some six years later

Other coaches of interest were Shearings Setra 317 BK11CPN and Alfa Travel's 24 PN04NMY

Service Alterations Registered ~ 24th July 2013

An Eastern Area Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report was published yesterday on the Gov.UK website

Report No 2158 includes changes affecting bus services and operators in this area with a substantial amount of changes registered by Anglianbus and the cancellation of another service by local operator Swift. The full report can viewed here

Registration of New Services

ANGLIAN BUS LTD, BECCLES BUSINESS PARK, SANDPIT LANE, ELLOUGH BECCLES NR34 7TH

From: Brundall. To: East Norfolk Sixth Form
Name or No: 69. Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 02-Sep-2013. Other Details: College days only.

From: Rackheath. To: East Norfolk Sixth Form
Name or No: 68. Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 02-Sep-2013. Other Details: College days only.

From: Beccles. To: Norwich Bus Station
Name or No: 86. Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 02-Sep-2013. Other Details: Mondays to Saturdays
.
FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES BUSES LTD, 6 LANSDOWNE ROAD NORWICH NR6 6NF
From: Norwich Bus Station.  To: Royal Norfolk Showground
Name or No: 100.  Service Type: Limited Stop
Effective Date: 31-Aug-2013.  End Date: 01-Sep-2013.  Other Details: 31/8/13 & 1/9/13 only.

KONECT BUS LIMITED, 7 JOHN GOSHAWK ROAD, RASHES GREEN INDUSTRIAL ESTATE , DEREHAM NR19 1SY
From: Acle.  To: Cringleford
Name or No: 52.  Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 02-Sep-2013.  Other Details: Mondays to Saturdays

Applications to Vary Existing Services

AMBASSADOR TRAVEL (ANGLIA) LTD, JAMES WATT CLOSE GREAT YARMOUTH NR31 0NX
Operating between Chedgrave and Great Yarmouth given service number 577 effective from 01-Sep-2013. To amend Timetable.

ANGLIAN BUS LTD, BECCLES BUSINESS PARK, SANDPIT LANE, ELLOUGH BECCLES NR34 7TH

• Operating between Bungay and Norwich given service number 93 effective from 02-Sep-2013. To amend Timetable
• Operating between Beccles (Town Services) and Beccles given service number 82 effective from 02-Sep-2013. To amend Route, Stopping Places and Timetable.
• Operating between Lowestoft and Southwold given service number 90 effective from 02-Sep-2013. To amend Timetable.
• Operating between Bungay and Lowestoft given service number 61 effective from 02-Sep-2013. To amend Timetable.
• Operating between Blofield Heath and Gt Yarmouth/Gt Yarmouth College given service number 7 effective from 02-Sep-2013. To amend Route, Stopping Places and Timetable.
• Operating between Hemsby and Cobholm given service number 63 effective from 02-Sep-2013. To amend Timetable.
• Operating between Beccles and Halesworth given service number 62 effective from 02-Sep-2013. To amend Timetable.
• Operating between Beccles and Southwold given service number 89 effective from 02-Sep-2013. To amend Route, Stopping Places and Timetable.
• Operating between Halesworth and Southwold given service number 83A/88B/BH272 effective from 02-Sep-2013. To amend Route, Stopping Places and Timetable.
• Operating between Lowestoft and Norwich given service number 60/60A/60B/60C effective from 02-Sep-2013. To amend Route, Stopping Places and Timetable.
• Operating between Southwold and Sir John Leman School given service number BR001 effective from 02-Sep-2013. To amend Route, Stopping Places and Timetable.
• Operating between Diss and Beccles given service number 80 effective from 02-Sep-2013. To amend Timetable.
• Operating between BECCLES and GREAT YARMOUTH given service number 81A/81 effective from 02-Sep-2013. To amend Timetable

FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES BUSES LTD, 6 LANSDOWNE ROAD NORWICH NR6 6NF

Operating between Lowestoft Bus Station and Beccles, Old Market given service number X22 effective from 01-Sep-2013. To amend Route, Stopping Places and Timetable.

Cancellations of Existing Services

ANGLIAN BUS LTD, BECCLES BUSINESS PARK, SANDPIT LANE, ELLOUGH BECCLES NR34 7TH

• Operating between Lowestoft and Kessingland/Halesworth given service number L13/699 effective from 02-Sep-2013.
• Operating between Wenhaston and Bungay Schools given service number BH272 effective from 02-Sep-2013
• Operating between Halesworth and Bungay given service number GP1 effective from 02-Sep-2013.
• Operating between Kessingland, Beach and Pleasurewood Hills given service number 601A effective from 02-Sep-2013.
• Operating between Wrentham and Bungay School given service number BH001 effective from 02-Sep-2013
• Operating between Blofied Heath and Gorleston Sixth Form College given service number 830 effective from 02-Sep-2013.
• Operating between Southwold and Bungay School given service number BH002 effective from 02-Sep-2013.

SWIFT TAXIS & PRIVATE HIRE LTD, SWIFT HOUSE, MORTON PETO RD , GREAT YARMOUTH NR31 0LT
Operating between Southtown Road and Martham given service number 302 effective from 05-Sep-2013.

Source: Traffic Commissioner for the Eastern Traffic Area - Notices & Proceedings Report 2158 - published 24th July 2013

SET Up

Ambassador's Scania S350SET works the 607 to Gorleston on Monday last

One service that doesn't normally get a mention here is Ambassador Travel's 607 route which runs between Lowestoft Bus Station and Gorleston's Morrison's store via a few Suffolk villages on the way

The service is usually operated by one of Ambassador's four Optare Solos but on Monday Syd Eade captured Wright Axcess-Floline bodied Scania S350SET on the 607 turning into Lowestoft's Denmark Road on its way to Gorleston

He remarks that 'it makes a nice change from putting a huge coach on it when the Solo is feeling unwell'

S350SET has a little bit of history in that she was new Irish Bus in August 1998 as 98-D-76402. After working for Centrebus and Dunn-Line, among others, she was subsequently acquired by Great Yarmouth-based Ambassador Travel in September 2008. The Scania also experienced a short loan period with Ipswich Buses during 2000

My thanks to Syd for the photograph which is his copyright

Chelmsford City in Great Yarmouth

First Essex ADL Enviro200 Dart 44900 AY08EKT at Caister Road yesterday.
Any guesses as to where it will be based!

Regular contributor Grahame Bessey was at First's Caister Road depot yesterday to photo the last of the First Essex arrivals being prepped for use.

Staff kindly placed ADL Enviro 200 Dart 44900 AY08EKT outside for him to photograph during the afternoon.

AY08EKT is no stranger to East Anglia being new to Carters Coach Services of Ipswich in April 2008. 

Grahame has also provided another picture of her in service with her former owner at Ipswich during June 2010.

My thanks to Grahame for the report and photos.

Regular readers will no doubt wish him all the best with the continued improvements with his back problem

My thanks to David for spotting the errors

Dolphin at the Beach!

Dolphin Autos' Mercedes Vario CL77 enjoying the sun at Beach Coach Station

I travelled into town this afternoon on the 13:46 Belton to Great Yarmouth service which seems to be a regular decker working nowadays - all other services on the route are usually operated by a saloon.

Alexander Royale bodied Volvo Olympian 34109 W436CWX worked it today and the corresponding outbound 13:20 Great Yarmouth to Belton

The first port of call was

First Eastern Counties 37562 FJ08FYN appears to be a regular on the 8 route

the town's Beach Coach Station where I unusually found Dolphin Autos' Mercedes Vario 0814D CL77 parked up

With not much else there, I returned to Market Gates and observed First Great Yarmouth's Volvo B9TL/ Wright Gemini 37562 FJ08FYN working the 8 to the James Paget Hospital; which seems to be its regular route

Caister Road Update

Darts 43441 and 43435 await their final journeys on 10th July 2013

Ryan reports the latest from First's Great Yarmouth depot

The main news is the clear out of Darts from the rear of the Caister Road site. Both 43441 P441NEX and 43435 P435NEX were seen there earlier in the week and are due to depart for the scrapyard next week.

Also due to join them is 42451 R451CCV leaving just 43470 R470CAH as the last one to leave

Previously reported on the blog is the imminent transfer of two Great Yarmouth Darts to Lowestoft; earlier this week 43481 R681DPW moved to Lowestoft permanently with sister 43480 R680DPW due to join her next week

On the repairs front, Olympian 34111 W431CWX is awaiting new gearbox whilst two ex Jersey Darts are to receive new engines. 43866 EG52FGV has already received one and requires a few minor parts, whilst 43863 EG52FKK is still awaiting hers.

Many thanks to Ryan for the detailed report

Huddersfield Trolleys

Following Godfrey Talford's response to Mike Sayer's piece about Huddersfield Corporation, regular correspondent Syd Eade has sent some photos of Huddersfield Trolleybuses

He contributes the following

'In view of your recent posts about Huddersfield I am sure you will be interested

to know that THREE of their trolleybuses survive in working order. 

Occasionally they all run carrying passengers on the same day, and I have sent photos I have taken of them at the Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft. 

Not only that but an AEC works lorry also survives and is seen posing with them'

Many thanks for the information and photos Syd; the latter retain his copyright

More on Huddersfield Corporation

Following Mike Sayer's report that the Huddersfield Corporation livery lives on in the form of  Firstbus 30843 , he also tells me that there is a model of her made by Creative Masters in 1:76 scale and provides a photo of it

Godfrey Talford, who previously corresponded about the use of some First Eastern Counties Darts in the Huddersfield and Leeds area, also makes contact:-

'I enjoyed reading Mike Sayer's comments about Huddersfield Daimler CVG6LX/30 472 which turned up at the North Norfolk Railway Vintage Vehicle event. My first encounter with its sisters was on the West Vale service in the 1960s, where they faced a fearsome climb out of Elland on the way back to town. The Gardner 6LX was the most powerful engine available at the time for bus propulsion. Mike no doubt used to drive on the Elland services, it would be interesting to share his thoughts on the experience.

Many readers locally may not realise that in 1883 the former Huddersfield Corporation was the first municipality in the UK to operate its own public transport services. Normal practice in the 1870s was for municipalities to construct and own the tramway infrastructure in their territory and then let out the rights to operate on it to private companies. Most municipalities exercised their rights to take over their local tramway companies in the 1890s or 1900s, but in Huddersfield, the Corporation itself pioneered the direct operation of Steam and Horse Trams over its tracks from the outset in January 1883. In the course of time, the tramways were electrified, many of them gave way to Trolleybuses, and the whole lot gave way to Diesels. Until 1969 some longer distance services were operated jointly with the railways by the Huddersfield Joint Omnibus Committee, but local government re-organisation in 1974 brought an end to all that. Huddersfield Borough became just part of the Kirklees Metropolitan District and the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive took over former municipal operations throughout the Metropolitan County. First is now the predominant operator in the area, being the latter day successor to WYPTE.
Having had the sight of one of its splendid vehicles on our patch, it would be sad to let this 130th anniversary year slip by without a tribute to the pioneering spirit of Huddersfield's City Fathers in the 1880s.'  

My thanks to both Godfrey and Mike for their contributions

Shades of Greys

Volvo G17ELY and Mercedes ESU364 at Beach Coach Station this afternoon

Two coaches from the Greys of Ely fleet were unusual visitors to Beach Coach station this afternoon - it seems too much of a coincidence that different coaches visit on racedays

The two vehicles concerned were Van Hol Acron bodied Volvo B12B G17ELY and the smaller 33 seater Mercedes-Benz O816D ESU394

Also present were two of Alfa Travel's Plaxton Paragon bodied Volvo B12Bs - PN08KSK and PN06KJV. Also on hire to Alfa was Dennis R/ Plaxton Paragon PN05AFA of Commercial Coaches but still in its Alfa Travel colours

Amport and District's Van Hool TX16 WA13DWW was also there sporting Angela Holidays livery. The vehicle was new to the operator in March this year

Market Gates Meander

An early visit to Great Yarmouth this afternoon and, after alighting from my ex Jersey Dart, I found First Eastern Counties Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 32208 LT52WTO broken down whilst on a Martham bound service.

An ASW Recovery Services vehicle was soon on the scene to effect the rescue.

Later in the afternoon I returned to Market

Gates and observed former Anglianbus Scania Omnilink YN03UVR back on its old stomping grounds.

Now with Sanders Coaches, as their 316, she is pictured on Regent Road returning to North Walsham on Sanders's service 6

Finally former Konectbus Optare Excel W216PRB pulled into the black hole of the Market Gates terminus still wearing

full Konectbus fleet livery.

Now with sister Go-Ahead subsidiary Anglianbus, she was working a delayed 580 service to Beccles

Meanwhile a trip to Beach Coach Station brought another crop of unusual coaches (see next post above)

New Bus Stands at Lowestoft Railway Station

First Lowestoft 32654 AU05MUW using the new stand on its way back from
Norwich on the X2 service

As plans are being drawn up to breathe new life into Lowestoft Railway Station, new bus stands came into use there earlier today

Regular contributor Syd Eade witnessed the event and says 'serving it appeared to be 'optional'; although by far more First buses pulled in than Anglian.'

'At present no road markings or flags exist either, and of course

One of the Anglian buses using the new facility was Optare Solo MX53FDP

quite a few cars decided to ignore the 'No Entry' and 'Taxis and Buses Only ' signs and drove in to either park or drop off....a portent of what is to come I expect.'

My thanks to Syd for the report and pictures which remain his copyright

Huddersfield Corporation Transport

Alexander Royale bodied Volvo Olympian T663VWU in Huddersfield Corporation 

livery Photo is copyrighted to Scott Poole (6228 Leeds on Flickr).

Following my report on a Daimler CVG6 appearing at the North Norfolk Railway's Vintage Transport weekend, Mike Sayer contacted me about its Huddersfield livery.

'I am still reading your fascinating site. Lovely to read that you liked our old 472 bus, a vehicle I drove in service so many times. When I went to Huddersfield Corporation Transport in 1972, we had many buses like 472, not all them too nice to drive!! No. 472 became 4472 in the MetroBus fleet after Huddersfield Corporation sold its buses in the 1970s. Of course, nowadays, we are part of FirstBus, but one bus, 30843, is kept in the old Huddersfield Corporation colours as part of the marking of 125 years of buses in Huddersfield in 2008.'

Mike pointed me in the direction of a photo of 30843 T663VWU on flckr, on its way back to Huddersfield from the Last of the Summer Wine town of Holmfirth. The photo is copyrighted Scott Poole (6228 Leeds on flickr) and has been used with his kind consent

Anglianbus Service Changes

As part of the amalgamation of Go Ahead subsidiaries Anglianbus and Konectbus, service changes & route renumbering will take effect from early September

The renumbering of routes in the East Norfolk/East Suffolk area into a more simpler number series is listed below together with route descriptions

• 7 Norwich - Great Yarmouth - Gorleston - replaces X47
• 60 Beccles - Lowestoft - Pleasurewood Hills - replaces 146/601A
• 60A/60B/60C Beccles School Services - replaces 146A/146B/146C
• 61 Southwold - Kessingland - Lowestoft - Great Yarmouth - replaces 601
• 62 Beccles - Halesworth - Kessingland - replaces 602/522
• 63 Cobholm - Great Yarmouth - Hemsby - replaces 586
• 68/69 East Norfolk Sixth Form Services - replaces 830/731
• 80 Beccles - Diss - replaces 580
• 81 Beccles - Great Yarmouth - replaces 581
• 82/82A Beccles Town Services - replaces C1/C2
• 86 Norwich - Mundham - Thurlton - Beccles - replaces 570/571/581A
• 88 Norwich - Bungay - Halesworth - replaces 588
• 88A/88B | Halesworth - Southwold - replaces 520/BH001
• 89 Bungay - Beccles - Southwold - replaces 524/BH002
• 90 St Felix School Services - replaces W9

In addition to the above services Konectbus will be taking over current Anglianbus routes A47 and 122, renumbered into a new service 52 the route will run between Acle - Brundall - Norwich - Cringleford.

A full list of all the AnglianBus changes can be viewed on Andys Bus Blog by clicking here

Many thanks to Andys Bus Blog for the above list plus Anglianbus & Konectbus for providing him with the original information.

Whippet Blues

Regular visitor Whippet's J670LGA appears in all over blue 

There were some twenty coaches at Beach Coach Station during early yesterday afternoon

Whilst the arrival of Volvo B10M/ Van Hool Alizee J670LGA at the site wasn't unusual (being a regular visitor on Whippet's Coastal Service) its appearance in an all over blue livery certainly was! Has there been a change in policy regarding livery?

Other noteable visitors were Simmonds Volvo B12B 98THO and Shearings Volvo B12M 703 MX05AFY

Haven't I Seen This Before?

Dennis Dart G457KNG at Norwich Surrey Street Bus Station in August 1999

Following Tim Miller's report yesterday regarding the new Anglianbus livery for Optare Excel X229WRA, James Long writes

'Is it me, or is this new Konect/Anglian look a rip off of what was called the First Anglia look for Great Yarmouth? What comes to mind is the livery shown in the picture of G457KNG enclosed. Wallace & Gromit would call this wearing the wrong trousers, lol...'

Thanks for that and the photo Jim,  it certainly does look very similar

First View of X229's Colour Scheme

Rear of repainted X229WRA

You may remember that regular correspondent Tim Miller reported, earlier in the month, that Anglian's former Konectbus Optare Excel X229WRA was having work undertaken at Car & Commercials in Beccles to correct a previously imperfect repair around its windscreen

At that time it was stated that the opportunity would be taken to repaint her into a new colour scheme similar to the Konect livery but with a yellow top with a blue and grey skirt.

I can now bring you a report and exclusive pictures from Tim Miller following his visit to Car & Commercials premises this morning

The new livery of mainly yellow with blue and grey skirt - in a similar style
 to that of Konect

'I managed to get some pics and it looks like the back and front remain pure Anglian yellow. Didn't take front pic as bumper was off and screens out. They were waiting for the screen guy to turn up and refit them plus the side quarter. I had to be quick as she was wanted back in the yard for lunchtime, I was over here between 12 and 1 and she was gone so must assume this is so. Will have to see how she looks out in the open'

Many thanks for the report and photos Tim

Service Alterations Registered ~ 10th July 2013

An Eastern Area Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report was published earlier today on the Gov.UK website

Report No 2157 includes a significant number of changes affecting bus services and operators in this area with the details as follows

Licences Revoked Without a Public Inquiry

HR GO (GREAT YARMOUTH) LIMITED
Director(s): KIM RUSSELL-SMITH, MATHEW BANYARD.
NO 4 ROW, 75 HOWARD STREET SOUTH , GREAT YARMOUTH NR30 2PU
Registered Bus Services running under this licence have also been revoked with immediate effect.

Registration of New Services

GREAT YARMOUTH COMMUNITY TRUST
THE PRIORY CENTRE, PRIORY PLAIN, GREAT YARMOUTH, NR30 1NW
CB000604/B370 - between Great Yarmouth Railway Station and Great Yarmouth Railway Station, given route number Priory 1 starting on 26/07/2013.

Cancellations of Existing Services

AMBASSADOR TRAVEL (ANGLIA) LTD, JAMES WATT CLOSE GREAT YARMOUTH NR31 0NX

• Operating between Thurlton and Norwich given service number 570 effective from 01-Sep-2013.
• Operating between Norwich, Harford Park & Ride Site and Norfolk County Hall given service number 102 effective from 01-Sep-2013.

Source: Traffic Commissioner for the Eastern Traffic Area - Notices & Proceedings Report 2157 - published 10th July 2013

Dart 43440 Departure Update

Dart 43440 enjoying the last of her stay at Caister Road

Yesterday I posted that Dart 43440 P440NEX was expected to taken away by Alpha Recovery later in the day - in fact she hasn't left at all but the tow truck did arrive to take 43446 P446NEX.

However, the truck is to return and 43440 may be gone by the time you read this.

Ryan has sent in a last picture of her in First ownership. A passenger will accompany her to the north east scrapyard as a snail had become so attached to her during her residence at the rear of Caister Road!

My thanks to Ryan for the information and photos

NNR Vintage Transport Weekend ~ Day Two

The Sunday line-up included Olympian D367JJD, Bristol K5G HPW133 and
AEC Reliance AEX85B joining former Huddersfield Daimler HVH472D

Day two of the north Norfolk Railway's Transport Weekend meant additional buses were in attendance as their owners could only make them available on the Sunday

Correspondence Tim Major made the journey to Holt in one of the East Anglia Transport Museum (EATM) vehicles and provides some pictures of the Sunday attendees

Three of the Sunday only visitors are shown in the first photo which included the EATM's Leyland Olympian/ECW D367JJD - the last example bodied locally at Eastern Coach Works

Two Sunday visitors were ex ECOC Bristol K5G HPW133 and former Great
Yarmouth AEC Reliance AEX85B

Next to her was HPW 133, a 1949 Bristol K5G with Eastern Coach Works H30/26R body. As Eastern Counties fleet number LKH 133 it operated from various garages including Peterborough, Kings Lynn and Norwich. After being delicensed in October 1969, it was sold via dealer Ben Jordan to Brookside Coaches in March 1970, Market Deeping. It was purchased privately for preservation in 1973 and is currently kept at the Lincolnshire Vintage Vehicle Society's premises

A third bus was former a former Great Yarmouth saloon AEX85B which has been comprehensively restored by the EATM. It has the rare combination of AEC Reliance and Penine Coachworks body. It had also seen service in nearby Lowestoft

Former Eastern National KOO790V is a Bristol VR with an ECW body

The final photo shows another Sunday only vehicle in the form of a Bristol VR. KOO790V was mainly used by Eastern National on its limited stop 400 service between Southend and London. Built in 1980 with coach seating, it was subsequently kept as a heritage vehicle by First and often saw use on special services and rail replacement services. It is now privately preserved

My thanks to Tim Major for the photos

FJ08FYN Enters Service

So far unreported on this blog is the entry of First Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B9TL FJ08FYN into service on Friday

I caught 37562 resting at the James Paget Hospital on Friday evening following her appearance on the 8 route. Unfortunately the picture was of poor quality as it was taken with my mobile phone. She had been working on the 8 during the day

However, Grahame Bessey got a better photograph of her yesterday evening whilst in Hemsby working on service 1 to Great Yarmouth

My thanks for the photo Grahame

Dart Duo To Make Their Last Journey

Both Grahame Bessey and Ryan have emailed me to the effect that two withdrawn Darts are due to make their last journey from Caister Road

Both Plaxton Pointer bodied 43440 P440NEX and 43446 P446NEX are expected to be taken away to the scrapyard later today

The photo shows 43446 languishing in the rear yard at Caister Road on the 23rd of June last

My thanks to both Grahame and Ryan for the update

Long Melford Vintage Rally

Former Eagles Bedford OB/Duple Vista KPW986

This weekend also saw the Long Melford Vintage Rally take place and this year it played host to the Bedford OB gathering

Our correspondent Tim Miller was there on Saturday and supplies photos from the event.

The first is of 1949 Bedford OB with Duple Vista body new to M J Eagle of Castle Acre. After entering preservation in 1988 KPW986 passed to its present owner Lewis Coaches of Henstridge in Somerset. It is to revisit its former home

Ex Metropolitan PoliceTransport Bus Bedford OB KGN433

Another interesting vehicle was an ex Metropolitan Police Transport Bus. KGN433 was one of twenty-six bought between 1948 and 1950 to transport police to demonstrations, meetings, processions etc. it was also used to transport prisoners about and had bars on the windows to stop them escaping

Other OB's visited from as far away as the Isle of Wight and amongst them included former Western National LTA750 and ex Graceline Coaches HOT339.

Former Bristol VRT/ECW JJT437N

Also present were AEC Reliance SHL917 and Bedford YMT BJU13T in Theobald's Coaches livery

An Eastern Coach Works bodied VRT in the shape of JJT437N was also at the event. New to Hants and Dorset as fleet number 3325 in May 1975 she was mainly based at Southampton depot. Newly renumbered as 4325 with Wilts & Dorset she was withdrawn after 19 years of service.

My thanks to Tim for the report and photos

Where Are They Now

Another in our occasional 'Where Are They Now' series and this time we feature former Swift Taxis SE51DZV

At the beginning of 2012, Swift advertised the disposal of its only double deck vehicle in the fleet, SE51DZV. 

Named Swift Flamingo, it took a number of months for a buyer to come forward with the Jonckheere Monaco bodied Volvo B12BT finally being acquired by Richards Coaches of Guist in September.

Last week she was observed operating to the Royal Norfolk Show which is held at the Norfolk Showground in Costessey. David Bell got a photo of her which is reproduced here with his kind permission

My thanks to Andy at Andy's Bus Blog for his help in securing the photo

NNR Vintage Transport Weekend ~ Day One

Today was the first day of the North Norfolk Railway's (NNR) Vintage Transport Weekend

As part of the event, vintage buses were providing free rides around the local area and to and from all NNR stations. Destinations  included the Cley Visitors Centre and also the Muckleburgh Collection

My plan was to first take photos of some of the buses at the Station Approach at Sheringham - bad move!! Unknown to me was the fact that the event also coincided with a Morris Dancers attraction too; which meant me being stuck in traffic outside the station for a short while

I decided that, with it being market day as well, car parking would be at premium. So I gave up on that idea and decided to head for Weybourne - if I could get out of the traffic that is!

Volvo B10M/Plaxton FAH275Y in Smiths of Wood Norton livery

After exiting Church Street and turning onto Weybourne Road it was a very clear run to Weybourne where I parked up in the overflow car park. Although it was a warm day, I decided a cuppa was in order and whilst I was drinking it the newly arrived BR Standard 4MT steam engine left the shed for a run into the platform. It's amazing that when your eating/drinking a photo opportunity occurs!

Former Huddersfield Corporation Transport HVH472D made the long 

journey from Yorkshire to be at the event

On leaving the train station I was passed by Volvo B10M/Plaxton coach FAH275Y in the livery of the now defunct Smiths of Wood Norton. It is now owned by the proprietor of another independent Peelings Coaches of Tittleshall

Next stop was Holt NNR Station where buses and coaches were lined up in a specially reserved area

The vehicle that impressed me most

Former Yellow Buses Burlingham bodied Leyland Tiger PS2/3 JLJ403

was an East Lancs bodied Daimler CVG6LX/30. HVH472D was purchased in the 1960s by Huddersfield Corporation Transport to replace trolleybuses. However, in 1974 the undertaking ceased to exist with the fleet becoming part of the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive. Withdrawn in the summer of 1981 she came under the ownership of the Huddersfield Passenger Transport Group in the

Konectbus Leyland National UFX852S still sees occasional use in service 

following year. After being kept under cover for a number of years the present owner acquired her in 2010

JLJ403 is a Burlingham bodied Leyland Tiger PS2/3which was formerly operated and preserved by Yellow Buses and formed part of the West of England Transport Collection. It is now privately owned

Leyland National UFX852S also featured at the event.  New to Hants & Dorset in the National Bus Company era it is now owned by local operator Konectbus of Dereham and still sees occasional use in service.

Sanders Coaches were using former Anglianbus Scania OmnCity YN03UVM

on a Fakenham service

The Managing Director of Konectbus, Julian Patterson also exhibited RL681 RAH681F. New to Eastern Counties in July 1968, the ECW bodied Bristol RELL6G was subsequently acquired by Julian in April last year.

Finally, as I was about to leave the event, former Anglianbus Scania OmnCity YN03UVM stopped opposite the Holt Station entrance setting down passengers. Although it still retains its Anglianbus colours, it is now owned by Sanders Coaches of Holt