Saturday 28 June 2014

Reynolds' Disposals

Caister on Sea based Reynolds Coaches have announced on its website that five of its coaches are available for sale. It it thought that this is to enable newer vehicles to be added to the fleet

All five are inspected and are available for work and comprise the following:-

Van Hool bodied Volvo B10M 7289DD in Reynolds old livery
  • Volvo B10M/Van Hool 7289DD - new August 1990 as H595EBX
  • Volvo B10M/ Plaxton Premier BIG8774 - new February 1999 as S585XJN
  • Volvo B7R/ Plaxton Premier BIG8769 - new January 1999 as S200VHO
  • Toyota Caetano 5 FJ54MOA - new September 2004
  • Mercedes Benz 814D/ Plaxton Beaver W600JSB - new March 2000 as W60CBC

It will be interesting to see what vehicles will replace them

First Ipswich Update

66950 back in 2006 at Hemsby carrying Great Yarmouth branding (Grahame)
66950 now at its third home in Ipswich today. (Jim Long)
Norwich based Volvo B7RLE 66950 has been transferred to Ipswich, the link to the blog being she was new to Great Yarmouth in 2005.

The three 66950/7/9 were diverted to Eastern Counties from the batch delivered originally to First Somerset & Avon and allocated to Caister Road to upgrade the 8 service. Although as you can see from my photo they did serve other routes including the odd trip on the X1.

Sisters 66957 & 66959 are also expected to head to Ipswich along with two other former Yarmouth allocated vehicles 69006 & 69011.

Thanks to Jim Long for the Ipswich   info and Photograph.


Lowestoft In Motion

45116 carrying a new rear ad for Africa Alive
I accompanied Danny Beales from First over to Lowestoft today as the Lowestoft in Motion day was taking place in the town's High Street.

It was a day to promote local Transport links and other ways of travel around the Suffolk Town such as cycling and walking!

On the Bus front, First and Anglianbus had vehicles on show promoting their services, First Lowestoft Enviro 200 45116 was on display with its new rear ad for Africa Alive at Kessingland and their 99 service of course!
AU62DWG with the new Anglianbus lettering applied

Anglian had MAN Gas bus 108 on display wearing the new lettering which is to be rolled out across the fleet.

The Transport Museum at Carlton Colville had Lowestoft AEC GBJ192 on display also to complete the trio of Buses.

Good to meet a few people from the other local blogs as well as some old friends, shame the afternoon came to an abrupt end due to the weather.

Grahame.

Friday 27 June 2014

Obituary ~ Geoffrey Hilditch

Great Yarmouth's Roe bodied Leyland PDR1/2 EEX856D at the Britannia Pier 
awaiting its next duty on service 14 to the Racecourse on 23rd September 1983
Geoffrey Hilditch, former General Manager at Great Yarmouth Corporation Transport, passed away last Friday (20th) after a long illness

He was initially an engineering apprentice at the LNER's Gorton Works but left the railway service for road transport at Seddon

His first municipal posting was at Leeds City Transport prior to transferring to Daimler of Coventry 

He was subsequently Deputy General Manager at Plymouth before his first General Manager posting at Great Yarmouth.

He became General Manager of Leicester City Transport in 1975 and remained in that post until 1984. During that time, considerable work was undertaken with Dennis, to develop the Dominator. He returned to Leicester CityBus, as Chairman, in 1990 and remained in that position until sale of the company, to GRT, in 1993.

My thanks to our Leicester correspondent Neil Beasley for his help with this article

I am sure we would all wish to express our condolences to Geoff’s family at this sad time.

Thursday 26 June 2014

Service Alterations Registered ~ 25th June 2014

The Eastern Area Traffic Commissioner yesterday published the latest Notices and Proceedings Report on the Gov.UK website

Publication No 2182 offers little of local interest apart from the introduction of two services by Great Yarmouth's Swift Taxis & Private Hire

The operator, which has its head office at Gapton Hall Estate, is to provide two services to Roys of Wroxham from some Norfolk villages from July:-
*   The 291 connects Hoveton, Coltishall, Buxton and Cawston with Wroxham on Thursdays only commencing on 31st July
*   The 292 operates from Squires Road, Halvergate via Reedham, Lingwood and Salhouse on Tuesdays only starting on 29th July

Information source: Traffic Commissioner for the Eastern Traffic Area - Notices & Proceedings Report 2182 - published on 25th June 2014.

Wednesday 25 June 2014

Latest from Caister Road

FJ08FYN awaiting for a mechanic to take it over to Norwich at 20:00 last night
Ryan provides the latest update from First's Caister Road depot

Wright Eclipse Gemini 37562 FJ08FYN left Great Yarmouth for Norwich last night with the two routemasters also heading off to the city for Norfolk Show duties today

Another departure was 30888 W743DWX, which left for Ipswich this morning in return for 32061 W221XBD

On the Olympian front 34114 W434CWX is awaiting inspection work whilst 34186 S686AAE is being prepared for an MOT prior to a return to service

My thanks to Ryan for his report and photo

Recent Arrival ~ KP54KAX

KP54KAX works the 8 to the James Paget Hospital this afternoon
Grahame recently reported on the blog the recent arrival of Wright Eclipse bodied Volvo B7TL 32629 KP54KAX from First Leicester

It was noted in service yesterday on the 8 to the James Paget Hospital  by Colin White and, after many attempts to get a photo of it, I achieved it this afternoon

Similar 32630 KP54KBE is expected from Leicester in the near future

BM Contract Duo

Olympian W436CWX leads President LT52WTE on Bernard Mathews contract
Two deckers were on Bernard Mathews duties this afternoon with a Volvo Olympian leading the convoy

34109 W436CWX headed President 32200 LT52WTE southbound on Nelson Road North picking up workers at Beach Coach Station

Former Leicester ALX400 32059 W219XBD later joined the duo on their trip to the factory

Seventeen on the Beach

Norse Plaxton Panther bodied Volvo W172VEL at Beach Coach Station today 
Seventeen coaches graced Great Yarmouth's Beach Coach Station early this afternoon and amongst them was Norse Volvo B10m-62 / Plaxton Panther W172VEL

Others included Shearings Van Hool Alizee bodied Volvo B12M 804 MX06AKU and Alfa Travel's Volvo B12B/ Plaxton Paragon PN08KXJ

Also making up the numbers were two National Holidays coaches - namely Volvo NH04CCH and Setra NH13JWH

Eclipse Expires

Failed Gemini 37565 outside Tescos in Beccles yesterday
One of First Lowestoft's Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B9s expired in service yesterday

Tim Miller reports that 37565 AU58ECD  failed in Beccles whilst working an X2 service during late yesterday afternoon

Sister 37571 AU58ECV came to the rescue and departed jam packed!

Also Olympian 34111 W431CWX was assisted back to Caister Road by an ASW recovery truck having broken down earlier this morning

Thanks to Tim for the photo and reports

Tuesday 24 June 2014

Further Gas Repairs

Regular contributor Tim Miller passed by Beccles' Car & Commercials premises this morning and observed one of Anglian's gasbuses in the yard

Caetano bodied MAN 108 AU62DWG was receiving repairs to its front nearside panel

My thanks to Tim for the report and photo

Monday 23 June 2014

Anglianbus Depot Visit

Two of the ex Konect Lolynes 725 W825NNJ and 723 W823NNJ
As referred to in the previous post, I took advantage of a trip out to Anglian's depot at Ellough in Beccles.

All three recently transferred Konect Dennis Trident/ East Lancs Lolynes were there. For the record they were 722 W822NNJ, 723 W823NNJ and 725 W825NNJ still retaining their Konect livery

Inside the workshops
In the works were decker AO57EZM, OmniCity YN03WRJ and Solo AU08GLY
were Scania decker 550 AO57EZM which had just been stripped of its 'Norwich Poringland Bungay Halesworth' branding. Similar 552 had been similarly treated

Also receiving attention were Scania OmniCity 462 YN03WRJ and Solo 959 AU08GLY

Not many gas buses were present as all of Anglian's Sunday services are now worked entirely by them
Former Konect buses - Lolyne 722 W822NNJ and Optare Excel X229WRA

Of interest were the number of vehicles at the far end of the yard due for scrapping; although visitors were told not to take any photos

Amongst them were ex Brighton 711 T811RFG and former Stagecoach London 702 X384NNO and 701 X251NNO. Volvo Olympian 1003 HIL5679 was also present as was Filby fire victim Solo 958 AO57EXA

An interesting trip with my first ride on an Optare Excel in the form of Anglian's 216 W216PRB

Hop on a Bus

Newly restored Eastern Counties LFL57 557BNG awaits its next duty
Yesterday the East Anglia Transport Museum at Carlton Colville held their annual Hop on a Bus event

The fine weather made for an enjoyable and successful occasion

I made my way there with a bumpy ride on Great Yarmouth Corporation PD2 66 EX6566 and was immediately greeted on arrival by contributor Tim Miller
Southdown Queen Mary BUF426C poses next to the museum's London Country
AEC Regent III KXW234 - my bus on the journey home back to Lowestoft 

After a chin-wag, Tim returned to Beccles whilst I looked around the yard to see what was on offer.

After an extensive (and expensive!) refurbishment, former Eastern Counties ECW bodied Bristol FL6G 557BNG was amongst the buses offering trips out

There were two interesting visitors in the form of Queen Mary 426, BUF426C restored
An interesting visitor was former Citybus Bristol RELL XOI2526
in Southdown colours and Belfast Citybus Alexander (Belfast) bodied Bristol RELL XOI2526

The latter was new in February 1984 and was loaned to Ulsterbus from 29/9/95 to 28/2/96. A year later it received Citybus livery and was withdrawn from service in October 2003. It is now owned by a Suffolk preservationist

The EATM also displayed their recent 
Recently acquired from Viv Carter is ex Ipswich Leyland Olympian C101CHM 
acquisition, former Ipswich Leyland Olympian/ ECW 46 C101CHM

A further surprise was the appearance of Border Bus Alexander Dennis Dart Enviro200 BB14BUS

It was noticeably placed next to Anglianbus Optare Excel 216 W216PRB which was used on two trips to Anglianbus depot in Beccles (see next post)
Strategically placed (?) Anglianbus Excel W216PRB next to Borderbus BB14BUS

Prior to lunch, I took advantage of one of the excursions on offer; something I hadn't been able to do on previous visits

I thought that, as the weather was fine, I would opt for a trip out to Kessingland Beach on the top deck of former Eastern Counties open topper OT5 OCK995K

After a pic at its destination, I decided I
Eastern Counties open top OT5 OCK995K at its Kessingland terminus
would enjoy my return journey on the less drafty lower deck!

On return to the museum, lunch was consumed prior to a visit to Anglianbus Ellough garage in Beccles

I returned in time to take advantage of another trip out; this time to Sparrow's Nest.

This was performed with Colin Apps at the wheel of Julian
Superbly restored Bristol RELL6G RL516 EPW516K at Sparrow's Nest
Patterson's ex
Eastern Counties RELL6G EPW516K

It was lovely to hear that Gardner engine once more and good to meet Colin, who I new by name through the Eastern Transport Collection's Terminus magazine

Upon my return, I had a further walk round prior the museum before my return journey home on London Country AEC Regent III KXW234

An excellent day out where I met old friends and finally put faces to names I had often corresponded with. Great to meet you all 

Saturday 21 June 2014

FEC Yarmouth Update

37572 seen here outside Caister Road last month.
Another arrival to report is Volvo B7TL Wright Gemini 32629 KP54KAX from First Leicester.

She arrived on Friday afternoon and is currently being inspected prior to entering service.

Moves to report are 37562 returning to Yarmouth after its brief spell at Lowestoft and 37572 moving to Lowesoft in its place on a permanent basis. 37562 will then transfer to Norwich in due course.

Grahame.

Thursday 19 June 2014

Lowestoft Loan

32202 at Lowestoft Bus Station this morning
Yarmouth based Volvo B7TL 32202 has gone over to Lowestoft on loan and was noted this morning working the 08.10 X2 service to Norwich.

The photograph does not quite have the destination showing but if you look close it is there showing X2!

Grahame.

Tuesday 17 June 2014

Worthing Coaches

Worthing Coaches Scania YN08DFD at their Spencer Road site this afternoon
Following yesterday's post regarding Lancing Industrial Park and the reference to Worthing Coaches, I was again in the area today and made a point of paying a visit to their garage in Spencer Road

Worthing Coaches was acquired by the south coast based Lucketts Travel Group in 2005 following the retirement of the owner at that time

Only three coaches were present; they were Irizar Century bodied Scanias YN08DFD and YN04GOJ plus National Express Volvo B9R Caetano Levante FN62CEY

Gas Repairs

AU62DWN at Car & Commercial this morning
Regular contributor Tim Miller contacted me earlier this morning to report that one of Anglian's gas buses was in at Car & Commercial's yard at Beccles at around 8:35

He says that 106 AU62DWN was apparently receiving treatment to what appears to be the front near side area

My thanks to Tim for the report and photo

Monday 16 June 2014

London in Lancing

MCW decker A721THV at Lancing Industrial Park
This afternoon we needed to visit a business on Lancing Industrial Park, situated to the east of Worthing

After driving half way round the estate's spine road, I noted Worthing Coaches depot in the distance but didn't have the time to visit

After completing our business, we left the estate via Marlborough Road and passed a black liveried double decker in the shape of A721THV

I stopped to get a pic but I was unable to ascertain any info about it because the driver pulled away

Returning back to base, I found the MCW was new to London Transport as their M1021 in April 1984 and passed to London United on privatisation in November 1994

The bus was then acquired by Ticket Media in January 2002 who subsequently sold it to current owners Facelift of Hickstead in October 2005

The construction plant hire company have painted the decker into its black livery

Early Express

On the way back from Worthing Railway Station early this morning I thought I would take a run along the seafront

Sitting at the stands, amongst the Stagecoach buses, was National Express Volvo B9R /Caetano Levante FN62CVS.

The coach, operated by Lucketts of Fareham, was about to work the 7:25 shuttle to London Victoria

Sunday 15 June 2014

The Witterings On Sunday

Stagecoach South 34517 GX04EXL on the 52 circular
In a corner of West Sussex, close to Chichester, is a group of villages known as the Witterings

After visiting relatives, we popped into the East Wittering shops for supplies and saw a Stagecoach bus approaching.

A quick photo opportunity saw me capture Transbus Dart SLF 34517 GX04EXL at Cakeham Road in the village on the 52 circular route to Chichester

Worthing Saturday

After calling off my USA trip due to ill health, we are now spending a few days in Worthing, West Sussex

Saturday meant an opportunity to observe bus activity in the seaside town and the first photo is of Enviro 200 YN09FNH with B29F seating

New to Brunskill of Coundon, Bishop Auckland in 2009, the
bus is now working with Compass of Worthing on behalf of Stagecoach specially branded for route 7

Next up is Scania N94UB Omnicity YN55PWU, numbered 556 in the Metrobus fleet. It is seen exiting a very busy South Street on the service 23 to Crawley which operates on a 30 minute frequency

Finally, on our walk back to my daughter's home, I saw Compass Bus GX05AOP at the Worthing Pier terminus.

The Transbus Dart SLF is about to leave on the 85 service to Chichester Bus Station

Saturday 14 June 2014

First Ipswich Movements

A former First Essex Enviro in Ipswich earlier today
A few vehicle movements have taken place at Ipswich on Friday evening.

Enviro 200 Darts 44517-44519 have moved over from Essex with Scania L94's 65690-65692 moving in the opposite direction.

You may well notice that the Scania's are returning to Essex, there home before moving to Ipswich.

Thanks to Jim Long for all the details and photo.

Final Two Leicester Arrivals in Service

32059 seen here leaving the Seashore Terminus

32064 leaving Caister Road Depot
The final two ex Leicester Volvo B7TL's have now entered service at Yarmouth.

32059 W219XBD & 32064 W224XBD were both out in use around the town today.

32059 was working alongside sister 32058 on the 3 service and 32064 was photographed leaving the depot at Caister Road to begin a shift on the 8 service

All seven arrivals are now in service with 32061 currently on loan to Ipswich Depot to cover their refurbishment program.

Hop On A Bus 2014

Just a reminder that the East Anglia Transport Museum at Carlton Colville will be holding their ever-popular annual bus and coach event on Sunday 22nd June between 10:30 am and 5 pm

Sponsored by Anglianbus and Konectbus, the 'Hop On A Bus' event will have many vehicles in service operating regular bus services to Lowestoft and Beccles; including Anglian's Depot at Ellough

There will also be free excursions to local places of interest using the museum’s and visiting vehicles from the 1940’s to the present day.

As always plenty of free bus rides will be on offer with intensive timetables in operation!

Click here for timetables for the free connecting Beccles and Lowestoft bus services to the museum

Hope to see some of you there on the day

Friday 13 June 2014

Branded Buses to Kessingland

X2 branded 37564 AU58ECC on the 99 service to Kessingland
Syd Eade was observing activity in Lowestoft yesterday and his camera wasn't that far away!

The services to Kessingland were noteworthy in that both Anglian and First were using route branded buses but for other services!

The pair were within minutes of each other and they comprised
Anglian Scania AO57EZM heads for Kessingland with Halesworth to Norwich 
service promoted on its sides
First's Gemini 37564 on the 99 and Anglian's Scania 550 on the 61

This is a major issue with specifically branded buses operating on the routes they were not intended for

Syd agrees 'It is just a pity they were for other routes, which is always a sore point with me at least.' 

My thanks to Syd for the report and photos

Thursday 12 June 2014

Another Olympian Goes

P655UFB on a sunny day in Kings Lynn during March 2009 The Olympian was 
allocated there at the time of the photo
One of Lowestoft's withdrawn Volvo Olympians has left the fleet.

Northern Counties Palatine II bodied 34155 P655UFB has been collected by Alpha Recovery of Westlade (dealers) for scrapping

34155 was new to First Bristol in June 1997 as their 9655 and moved to Eastern Counties from First Somerset & Avon in December 2008

My thanks to Grahame Bessey for the photo

Throw Back Thursday

LFS 54 54CPW at Great Yarmouth's Wellington Road site
Some of you will have a Twitter account and be aware of the feature 'Throw Back Thursday'. So I thought that as Peter Warner had recently sent me an old photo of a decker at the old Eastern Counties Wellington Road premises I would publish it today

Peter says 'I was looking through some slides taken many years ago and found the attached. I have no fleet number reference for the vehicle but it looks either that its just had a repaint in NBC 'poppy red' or alternatively it has been de-commissioned! Any thoughts on when, the status of the vehicle and the bus fleet number? I would guess late 1970's maybe?'

LFS 54, 54CPW is a Bristol FS5G with Eastern Coach Works bodywork and it's still with us today! After conversion for use as a caravan in Blackpool it is now in the process of being preserved by a certain Julian Patterson! Its history and further photos can be viewed HERE See comment below for an update

My thanks to Peter for the photo

Wednesday 11 June 2014

In Reserve

J670LGA at Beach Coach Station on 10th July last year
The Anglia & Thames Valley Bus Forum reports that a regular visitor to the town from the Whippet fleet has been transferred to the reserve list

Van Hool bodied Volvo B10M-60 J670LGA regularly appeared at Beach Coach Station on Whippet's Coastal Services

The coach is shown on such a visit last year shortly after receiving an all over blue livery

Service Alterations Registered ~ 11th June 2014

The Eastern Area Traffic Commissioner today published his latest Notices and Proceedings Report on the Gov.UK website.

Publication No 2181 comprises a significant number of changes to services operating in our area

Licences Surrendered

With effect from the 27th May 2014, Compass Travel (Drifter) Limited of Riseborough Court, Vanguard Road at Gapton Hall Industrial Estate in Great Yarmouth has ceased operating registered services


Registration of New Services

Another Gapton Hall based company, Ambassador Travel, has registered two services to operate to Easton College from 1st September 2014. Both the 58 from Harleston (via Long Stratton) and the 53 from Bungay (via Loddon) will comprise one journey in each direction morning and afternoon on college days

As already reported on the blog, Borderbus of Beccles have registered a new hourly 146 service between Southwold and Norwich via Reydon, Wangford, Wrentham and Beccles. 
The operator has also registered three limited stop routes serving the Latitude Festival being held at Henham
  • LAT1  Diss Rail Station to Henham - Thursday 17th July to Monday 21st July 2014
  • LAT2  Halesworth Rail Station to Henham - Tuesday 15th July to Monday 21st July 2014
  • LAT3  Henham to Southwold - Friday 18th July to Sunday 20th July 2014

First Eastern Counties of Lansdowne Road in Norwich are to run the X1 from Market Gates Great Yarmouth to Lowestoft Bus Station via Gorleston at 20 minute intervals Monday to Saturday and hourly on Sundays. The company has also registered the X1 Norwich Bus Station to Market Gates via the A47 and A146 roads on the same frequency which will be changed to every thirty minutes on Sundays  Both will commence with effect from 27th July 2014

Our Hire of Englands Lane, Acle are to reintroduce the seasonal Seafront Circular service serving Haven Seashore Holiday Park via North Drive and Marine Parade in Great Yarmouth. It will run Mondays to Fridays from the 28th July to 29th August 2014

Applications to Vary Existing Services 

First Eastern Counties of Lansdowne Road in Norwich are to vary the following to take effect from 27th July 2014
  • X1 Peterborough to Norwich - amend route, start & finish point, stopping places and timetable. 
  • 1/2 Cliff Park/James Paget Hospital and Barrack Estate - amend timetable
  • 1/1A/1B Lowestoft to Martham - amend timetable
  • 3 Newport Caravan Park to Great Yarmouth - amend route and stopping places
  • 5 Great Yarmouth Market Gates to Burgh Castle - amend timetable

National Express of Digbeth, Birmingham is to amend the timetable of its 497 service between Lowestoft and London Victoria from 7th July 2014

Sanders Coaches of Holt is to amend the timetables of the following routes from 27th July 2014
  • 34 North Walsham Post Office to Stalham Old Rail Road
  • 36 Happisburgh Post Office to Norwich High School
  • 42/43 Reepham Market Place to Norwich Bus Station

Cancellations of Existing Services

H Semmence & Company Limited of Ayton Road in Wymondham is to cancel its Beccles to Eaton College service 58 from 31st July 2014

Notice of Public Inquiries to be Held

Ian Trussler and Partners trading as Goldline Taxis of Ellough Road, Beccles is to appear at a public inquiry at The Court Room, Eastern Traffic Area, Eastbrook, Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge, CB2 8BF on 4th July 2014 where the following will be considered 
PSV - S17 - Disciplinary action under Section 17 (The Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981) 
PSV - S28 - Disciplinary action under Section 28 (The Transport Act 1985)

Information source: Traffic Commissioner for the Eastern Traffic Area - Notices & Proceedings Report 2181 - published on 11th June 2014.

Tuesday 10 June 2014

Red or Black

A certain boy band were playing at Wembley Stadium this weekend and having an 8 year old daughter mad about them meant a trip to London was booked to see them in action.

To be honest the London Bus scene has never really been one I have followed but this was my first opportunity to see the new bus for London on the streets.

A batch have been
given all over Black adverts for Adidas to coincide with a certain football tournament about to start in Brazil.

Top: LT206 LTZ1206 in Black seen here in Regent Street.

Bottom: LT187 LTZ1187 is seen here in Piccadilly operated by Arriva wears the traditional Red Livery.

Grahame.

Ipswich Double Decker Stuck In A Hole

The BBC website reports that a double decker bus became stuck in a hole at Holbrook in Suffolk after delivering children to their school this morning

The decker was Ipswich Buses Dennis Trident LG02FCX and four people were on the bus at the time but were unhurt

Full details including photos can be found on the BBC website

Monday 9 June 2014

Old Lump!

60814 S665RNA at Norwich with an X1 short duty
Jamie Skinner emails me regarding his trip from Norwich this morning on the X1

He waited for the bus at the bus station expecting the usual Gemini to work the short at 10:35. He says 'I was surprised when this old lump pulled in!'

The 'old lump' was Wright Renown bodied Volvo B10BLE 60814 S665RNA, which was having a rare outing in the 'fine city'

My thanks for the report Jamie and hope you enjoyed the trip!!

Saturday 7 June 2014

Interesting Independents

Sanders AF57WHF at Beach Coach Station on Friday morning 
On Friday I again passed Great Yarmouth's Beach Coach Station and found a member of the Sanders Coach fleet present. I am beginning to wander if this is a regular working

The coach concerned was Plaxton Profile bodied ADL Dennis Javelin AF57WHF wearing fleet number 1001

Shortly after, I paid a lunch time visit to
Galloways BX12CWC in St Stephens Street in Norwich
Norwich where I saw Galloways BX12CWC, a Volvo B13R/ Volvo 9700 Prestige Plus, in St Stephen's Street

Also, at the entrance to Castle Mall Shopping Centre, was Harrod Coaches Irisbus Eurorider NH14DHH

Apologies for the slight delay in posting this information

FEC Heritage Livery at Ipswich announced

It has been revealed that Ipswich based Volvo B7TL 32479 will become the first vehicle to wear one of First's Heritage liveries which have been rumoured for some time. The livery chosen is the Post Office Red Eastern Counties style as seen here on freshly painted VR163 OUP683P at Ipswich Depot in the early nineties.

Jim Long is our man for Ipswich information and has kindly supplied the photos for this blog.

Another VR to gain the livery was VR179 OEL233P, seen here at Star Lane still undergoing
refrubishment in the sunshine of August 1993.

Im sure everyone is looking forward to the return of 32479, personally I'm looking forward to a vehicle in a Blue & Cream style livery to appear............

Watch this space!

Friday 6 June 2014

Another Bus Fire

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service reported a bus fire at Wrentham in Suffolk late this afternoon.

Jamie Skinner sends me the details of the incident which occurred at around 15:30 on the A12 southbound carriageway

The report says that on arrival, the crews found a fire in the turbo which was quickly brought under control

One can only speculate that it might have been another Optare Solo following  similar outbreaks in the past

My thanks to Jamie for the report