Thursday 31 July 2014

Beach Belle

Belle Coaches 22 NJI9243 picks up holidaymakers yesterday
I have recently been made aware that Lowestoft's Belle Coaches operates a regular service to Gorleston Beach

The service is provided on behalf of Haven Holiday Park in Hopton and runs to the Gorleston seafront as the beach at Hopton is currently inaccessible

Coaches start from the holiday park from 10am and then at thirty minute intervals from 11am

I checked the situation during yesterday afternoon and found holidaymakers boarding Van Hool bodied Scania NJI9243

My thanks to Tom Baker for the information

Wednesday 30 July 2014

Routemaster Repaint

Ryan informs me that First's Park Royal bodied Routemaster JJD480D has returned to Caister Road following a repaint at Full Circle

Formerly London Transport's RML 2480, it is resplendent in London Red complete with Eastern Counties fleetnames

My thanks to Ryan for the information and photos



Tuesday 29 July 2014

33423 Returns!

Undoubtedly the star of the First Eastern Counties fleet is the photogenic ADL Enviro Trident/ Enviro400 33423 SN60CAA

It appears that the parts First were waiting for to get 33423 back on the road, have arrived and been fitted

Regular correspondent Jamie Skinner boarded her on an X1 service to Lowestoft earlier today

You may remember that the bus was acquired from Connex Jersey who employed it on the island with the registration of J57156

My thanks to Jamie for the report and photo

First's 66959 Moves to Ipswich

66959 heading for the coast at Foxgrove Close, Warren Heath yesterday
Our regular reporter from Ipswich, Jim Long, has sent me a picture of one time Great Yarmouth bus 66959 WX55TZW

As Jim says, after pounding the coastal roads of Norfolk, the Wright Eclipse bodied Volvo B7RLE moved on to Norwich

66959 has just transferred to Ipswich and is seen here early yesterday morning on its first job in the Suffolk town; a visit to Felixstowe on the Suffolk coast

My thanks to Jim for the report and photo

Sunday 27 July 2014

Worthing Bus Rally

Sunday saw the Worthing Bus Rally being held with around seventy plus vehicles in attendance

Amongst those buses attending was Ipswich Corporation Park Royal bodied AEC Regent 24 EPV24. 

A full report on the rally is expected to follow in the next few days once I have sorted out the sixty plus photos which then need cropping straightening

Be patient it won't be too long before the report appears..........

Saturday 26 July 2014

Caister Road Update

32200 in Regent Road on 1st April 2011 having been transferred a month earlier
Ryan sends his latest report from First's Caister Road depot

President 32200 LT52WTE is transferring to Norwich tomorrow whilst sister 32208 LT52WTO remains in local service

ADL Enviro400 33423 SN60CAA continues to await parts, whilst Volvo B10BLE 60807 S658RNA is still away being converted for training duties

On the Olympian front, withdrawn 34112 W432CWX is over the pits and is thought to be yielding parts to keep 34109 W436CWX in service

Both Routemasters are currently away from Caister Road

My thanks to Ryan for the latest update

Friday 25 July 2014

Worthing Bus Surprise!

A trip to sunny Worthing today to stay at my daughter's place over a long weekend - primarily for Sunday's Bus Rally,

After some refreshment, after the long journey south, we decided to walk along Worthing's seafront enjoying the late afternoon sunshine

Whilst there, we came across this excellent vehicle which I thought you might like to see a photo of!!

More posts from the sunny south coast soon

Thursday 24 July 2014

Borderbus New 146 Service

BB09BUS at Beccles Old Market on the 146 to Southwold
Today saw the first day of the operation of the Borderbus 146 service between Southwold and Norwich via Beccles

Three Enviro 200s have been acquired for the service, BB09BUS, BB59BUS and BB62BUS, with the first two being noted in service at Beccles Old Market Place around lunchtime today

There is the possibility
Enviro SK07HLU lurks in Brands yard yesterday
that there is a fourth single decker as Enviro 200 SK07HLU, was seen by eagle eyed Tim Miller lurking in Brands yard in Beccles yesterday.

Earlier in the month it had been noted in Mardens yard in London red having seen service with London United and NCP Challenger. Click HERE for the link to the photo on Gricerman's Flickr site

Whilst in the area, I looked in at the Borderbus premises and found just the sole Plaxton President X662LLX on site basking in the sun

My Thanks to Tim for his photo and report on SK07HLU

Service Alterations Registered ~ 23rd July 2014

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

Publication No 2184 provides extensive details of changes to the local bus network - especially school services

Registration of New Services


Beccles based Borderbus are introducing three new school services commencing on 5th September 2014 - SJL4, SJL5 and SJL6 between Carlton Colville and Sir John Leman School in Beccles

First Eastern Counties is to provide a Monday to Saturday 111 service from Lowestoft Bus Station to Carlton Colville Transport Museum from 31st August 2014

Registration of New Services Granted Under Short Notice


Holt based Sanders Coaches start a new route 706 from Beach Road Sea Palling to the Stadium (?). The Monday to Friday service starts on 1st September 2014

Applications to Vary Existing Services


Anglianbus is amending a number of its timetables from 1st September 2014

  • 60 between Bungay and Lowestoft
  • 63 between Hemsby and Cobholm, Great Yarmouth
  • 83 between Harleston and Norwich
  • 83A/88B/BH272 between Harleston and Southwold
  • 84 between Broad Street, Harleston and Norwich Bus Station.
  • 87/88 between Durban Close, Halesworth and Newmarket Road, Norwich

Borderbus are also making route and timetable changes to three of its services from 5th September 2014

  • SJL1 between Kessingland and Sir John Leman School, Beccles
  • SJL2 between Oulton Road and Sir John Leman School, Beccles
  • SJL3 between Carlton Colville and Sir John Leman School, Beccles

First Eastern Counties is making alterations to its Lowestoft timetables from 31st August 2014

  • X2 Lowestoft Bus Station and All Saints Green Norwich
  • 99 Lowestoft Bus Station to Lowestoft Bus Station via Kessinglang
  • 101 Crestview Drive, Gunton and Cowslip Crescent in Hollow Grove

Konectbus is recasting its timetables on two routes from 1st September 2014; the 2 between Norwich and Sheringham and the 2a between Holt and Sheringham

Southwold Town Council is to amend its Southwold Shuttle service between Southwold Caravan and Camping Site on Ferry Road and the Kings Head Public House from 16th July 2014

Applications to Vary Existing Services Granted Under Short Notice


Sanders Coaches is to amend the route and timetable of its 45 route between Norwich and Holt from 1st September 2014

Cancellations of Existing Services


Great Yarmouth's Ambassador Travel is ceasing two schools services from 1st September 2014

  • 1 Operating between Rockland St. Mary and Loddon Schools
  • 2 Operating between Ditchingham and Loddon Schools

Anglianbus is cancelling the following services from 1st September 2014

  • BR001 between Southwold and Sir John Leman School, Beccles
  • LAT1 between Diss Rail Station and Latitude Festival, Henham
  • LAT2 between Latitude Festival, Henham and Southwold, Market Place
  • LAT3 between Halesworth Railway Station and Latitude Festival, Henham

Cancellations of Existing Services Granted Under Short Notice


Sanders is cancelling its 61 service with effect from 1st September 2014 which operates between A149 Westcliffe Road, Cromer and Suffield Park Infants School

Phew! The full details of Publication 2184 can be viewed HERE

Wednesday 23 July 2014

Latitude Festival

As you are probably aware, the annual Latitude Festival took place last weekend at Henham Park near Southwold

The four day event was an intense logistical exercise in transporting the public to and from the event from the number of railheads in the area.

As regular readers of this blog will know, Borderbus did their bit by running three services to the festival but what is probably not known is that many other local operators also chipped in to provide transport links

Former First Great Yarmouth driver Tom Baker was involved with the process at Diss Railway Station and sends a photo showing activity there on Friday last

Members of the Sanders Coaches, Belle Coaches and Lamberts Coaches fleets can be easily identified - incidentally the Sanders vehicle is DAF/Van Hool YJ05PZA

My thanks to Tom for the photo

Tuesday 22 July 2014

Third Borderbus Repaint

The third repainted Borderbus at the Car & Commercial premises this morning
The second Borderbus report in a day - nothing at all then then two arrive together!!

The ever observant Tim Miller reports the completion of the repaint of the third Borderbus Enviro for use on its 146 service

The vehicle is adorned with the registration BB62BUS and our Beccles correspondent got a sneak picture of it outside in the Car & Commercial yard earlier this morning

The 146 route commences this Thursday with the timetable shown on the Borderbus website

My thanks to Tim for his report and photo

Borderbus Enviro

BB09BUS heads along Lowestoft Seafront
Noted this morning on my way into work was one of the new Enviro Dart arrivals for Borderbus in the shape of BB09BUS. It was working a service to Sir John Leman school which is normally operated by one of  their Plaxton President fleet.

Grahame.

Monday 21 July 2014

Olympian Activity

Regular correspondent Jamie Skinner went to catch his bus to Belton at the Magdalen Arms stop in Gorleston this morning when the following appeared!

It was First's Volvo Olympian 34114 W434CWX on service 7. After joining the bus, it wasn't long after he had taken his seat when he observed sister 34109 W436CWX heading in the opposite direction.

That wasn't the end of it, as Jamie returned later on 34114 and saw 34109 and 34186 S686AAE on their way to Bernard Matthews on a contract working

My thanks to Jamie for the reports and photos

Thursday 17 July 2014

First Ipswich Activity

First Hampshire Scania Irizar 23312 YN54NYT on loan for rail replacement use
Our regular Ipswich correspondent Jim Long has contacted me with an update on the latest First Ipswich activity

'Ipswich have gone up market for a few weeks; the last time we saw a coach as good as this was when we got our first RE coach back in 1966! Only kidding. This one is a 'booty',as she has a fridge! So you guys who like lemonade, forget it. Room only for FOSTER LAGER!!! ok lol..

Gemini 37562 FJ08FYN is on the forecourt waiting to return to Norwich. As we all know she can't access the fuel lane, otherwise we might have had a couple of Gemini's by now. Thanks Norwich for sharing such a nice 'mota'...'

Many thanks for the report and photo Jim - hope your are enjoying your lager on a warm day like today!

34186 Returns

34186  S686AAE inside Caister Road depot on 18th February 2014
Ryan informs me that First Volvo Olympian 34186 S686AAE is now available for duty at Caister Road

After receiving a gearbox from 34187, and undergoing an MOT earlier this week, the Olympian returned to active service this morning

My thanks to Ryan for the information

Wednesday 16 July 2014

Local Round Up

Marrett's Chariots R6APT under the watchful eye of Britannia on Nelson's Column
During a quick tour around the town just after lunchtime today I thought the following may be of interest

I started from South Beach Parade as sometimes there is the odd coach parked up south of the Pleasure Beach.

I wasn't disappointed this time as one of Marett's Chariots was present. 
Sanders Coaches Plaxton Cheetah YN13AVX was hiding in the back row

It was Jonckherre Mistral bodied Volvo B10M-62 R6APT which has had previous identities R189SUT and YKJ798

The next port of call was Beach Coach Station where I counted a total of twenty coaches on site. The usual touring companies were present including Shearings, National
Two Olympians work the Bernard Matthews contract
Holidays and Alfa Tours

Shearings were represented by Setra BF10VCO and Volvo B10M MX05AFY whilst National Holidays were employing Setra NH10CSH. Alfa were using Volvo B12B/ Plaxton Paragon PN08KXK

Local coach operators present included Belle Coaches with LD10HOL, Reynolds Coaches with BIG8769 and Sanders Coaches with YN13AVX

Finally, two Volvo Olympians worked the Bernard Matthew contract - 34114 W434CWX led 34108 W435CWX southbound along North Denes Road

Monday 14 July 2014

Ipswich Rail Replacement

Our regular Ipswich correspondent Jim Long informs me that two former First Great Yarmouth vehicles were on rail replacement duties in his home town

Now allocated at Norwich, both the Plaxton Paragon bodied Volvo B10M 20515 WV02EUR and Volvo B9TL/ Wright Eclipse Gemini 37562 FJ08FYN were on
standby at Ipswich Railway Station today.

Their appearance is due to First Ipswich gaining a four week contract to cover rail services provided by Abellio Greater Anglia

Todays period of inactivity allowed Jim to get a photo of each of them

My thanks to Jim for the information and the photos supplied

Saturday 12 July 2014

They're Back

43862 EG52FGK on the 2 this afternoon on its way to the James Paget Hospital
Buses returned to Gorleston's Shrublands Estate today after an absence of almost six weeks

The footway and resurfacing works on Oak Road started on the 2nd June causing First's service 2 to be diverted from the estate to Crab Lane.

Construction was expected to take three weeks to complete but clearly the work had overun

Friday 11 July 2014

Ipswich Eclipse Update

Regular Ipswich correspondent Jim Long has been in touch to provide photos of the recent First arrivals in the new livery

He says that on a closer inspection, the style is a variation of the Olympia livery and has a deep green in it although it is stated to be charcoal

The first of the photos is of 69008 AU05DMV
in Bridgewater Road on its first day out, whilst the other is of 66981 KX05MHK which arrived back in the Suffolk town yesterday

The latter was being put through its paces on the rolling road yesterday and subsequently came out on the road and is pictured on Star Lane

My thanks to Jim for the report and photos and to the First Ipswich staff to enable pictures to be taken. See also the comments below for views on the new 'Ipswich' livery

Caister Road Update

KP54KAX at Market Gates on the 8 to the James Paget Hospital on 25th June 2014
Another update from our regular reporter Ryan from First's Caister Road depot

Gemini 32629 KP54KAX is currently off the road for inspection repairs

News regarding the Olympians is that 34114 W434CWX is now back in service whilst 34186 S686AAE is undergoing an MOT and should be back in traffic next week

My thanks to Ryan for the constant supply of updates

Thursday 10 July 2014

Service Alterations Registered ~ 9th July 2014

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

Publication 2183 provides details of the latest changes which includes the following of local interest

Licences Surrendered
The operating licence for H S Neave & Son trading as Neaves Coaches of Catfield was surrendered with effect from 01 July 2014. All registered services running under this licence have also been surrendered with immediate effect

Applications to Vary Existing Services
Anglianbus' Beccles town service 82 is to have its route and timetable amended from 1st August 2014

Applications to Vary Existing Services Granted Under Short Notice
First Eastern Counties is to amend the timetable of its route 1/1A/1B between Lowestoft and Martham from 27th July 2014

Cancellations of Existing Services
First Eastern Counties is to cancel its BR6 service between Carlton Colville in Lowestoft and the St John Leman School in Beccles from 31st August 2014

Cancellations of Existing Services Granted Under Short Notice 
Our Hire trading at Englands Lane, Acle is cancelling two routes from the 28th July 2014. They are the 292 in Moulton and the 291 serving Wroxham. Great Yarmouth based Swift Taxis are to provide one day a week replacement for these routes

Information source: Traffic Commissioner for the Eastern Traffic Area - Notices & Proceedings Report 2183 - published on 9th July 2014.

Wednesday 9 July 2014

Border Bus Repaints

Regular correspondent Tim Miller was keeping a close eye on activities at Car & Commercials premises in Beccles today

At just before eight this morning he noticed one of the Border Bus vehicles BB59BUS had been resprayed in its new livery but was unable to find out more details

A return visit this afternoon saw another of the Border Bus fleet about to receive the same treatment with re-registered Enviro 200 BB09BUS standing outside in the yard

My thanks to Tim for the report and photo

Vintage Transport Weekend ~ Sunday

EATM's 557BNG and VHK177L on arrival at Sheringham Station
A report on the second day of the North Norfolk Railway's Vintage Transport Weekend

Neil Chilvers reports that the East Anglia Transport Museum took two vehicles along to the event - namely Eastern Counties Bristol FL6G 557BNG and Eastern National Bristol RELH VHK177L

Neil also supplied some photos of the Sunday 
Wilts & Dorset Bristol VR/ ECW JJT437N at Holt
workings and the second shows Michael Cole's ECW bodied VR 3325 JJT437N enjoying a shower at Holt.

It was operated from 1975 to 1993 by Hants & Dorset and its privatised successor Wilts and Dorset. It subsequently passed to a number of independent operators prior to preservation

Next up is George Monk's MCW Metrobus GOG205W. New to
Ex Travel West Midlands GOG205W at Sheringham Station
West Midlands PTE, it was one of more than a thousand or so supplied to the operator

It was in use with Travel West Midlands until 2000 and became one of the few ex West Midlands examples remaining in service until withdrawn by Shoreys of Maulden in Bedfordshire

Charles White sent along his former Eastern Counties Bristol RE SVF896G
Former Eastern Counties RE 896 SVF896G on display at Holt
It was employed by the company on long distance service sand is one of the few vehicles to have entered the grounds of Buckingham Palace. It was later operated by Carters Coaches of Ipswich

Other vehicles on display were Anglian's MAN EcoCity gasbus 108 AU62DWG and former Eastern Counties Bristol RELL6G EPW516K

My thanks to Neil for the photos and his help with this post

New Livery for Ipswich

69008 appears from the wash at Foundation Street
The latest vehicle to be repainted at First Ipswich is former Norwich based 69008, it returned yesterday evening to Foundation Street adorned in a new version of the current First livery with a Charcoal Grey front similar style to vehicles currently being treated at First Potteries although they are gaining Red fronts.

Former Norwich Volvo B7RLE, 66950 is next to north to Rotherham for refurbishment.

About to head into the workshops to have the vinyls applied
Our man on the spot at Ipswich, Jim Long was on hand to see 69008 arrive back in Suffolk yesterday evening.

Ipswich are also expecting further B7RLE's from Norwich in the shape of 69006/69011 and 66957/66959.
Also expected from Colchester are 66985/66986 (KX05MHO/MHU) with Ipswich's 69532/3 moving the other way.

All go at Ipswich!

Tuesday 8 July 2014

Latest Caister Road Update

Olympian 34187 S687AAE awaiting its fate in the rear yard at Caister Road
Regular contributor Ryan has supplied his latest update from First's Caister Road depot

Recently reported by Jamie Skinner was the use of Lowestoft's Dart 43466 R466CAH on Great Yarmouth services. This returned to Lowestoft last night (following an MOT) with ALX400 32058 W218XBD coming back to Great Yarmouth off loan

The latest on the Olympians is that 34186 S686AAE  is now in the rear yard awaiting a slot in the MOT queue. 34109 W436CWX has just had its rear painted by a skilled painter whilst 34114 W434CWX is awaiting an inspection. Both 34113 W433CWX and 34187 S687AAE are now in the rear yard keeping company with the other withdrawn examples

Recent First Leicester arrival Gemini 32629 KP54KAX has received favourable comments from drivers

Both Presidents 32201 LT52WTF and 32208 LT52WTO are now confined to local duties

Routemaster 39623 NML623E is currently in use  at Norwich

My thanks to Ryan for the report and photo

Monday 7 July 2014

Sanders' New Timetables

Occasional contributor Godfrey Talford sends the following information regarding alterations to Sanders Coaches timetables

The 12:32 from Fakenham calls at Holt on its way to Cromer on Saturday
'Although not yet published on Sanders' website, I picked up a timetable leaflet on a journey on Sanders service 34 last Friday, showing how they propose to integrate the former Neaves operations into their network.  

The changes take effect from 27th July and go further than expected from your earlier report on the VOSA notices and proceedings.     

The most exciting development is the introduction of a new X11 service from Stalham and Sutton to Norwich, direct via Wroxham and Sprowston, on a virtually hourly frequency Monday to Friday, with some journeys omitted on Saturdays.   This replaces the very minimal service previously provided on this route by the former,Neaves 36 service.   The X11 offers much quicker journey times from Stalham and Wroxham to Norwich than First or Anglian Bus, whose services divert via Salhouse and Dussindale Park en route.    

Occasional service 36 journeys remain from Stalham to Norwich via Smallburgh, Dilham, Barton Turf and Neatishead.    Service 34 from North Walsham to Stalham via the coast, has been recast to serve as a feeder to the X11, with some journeys serving Sea Palling and Hickling as previously served by Neaves.    Total journey times from the coastal villages to Norwich, by connecting at Stalham, are significantly reduced and offer an attractive alternative to taking the car!   The recast 34 timetable also offers better connectivity at Stalham with service 6, to and from Great Yarmouth.    

This looks like a shrewd commercial move which deserves to succeed.   Sanders are to be commended on their recent growth by strategic acquisitions, their evident desire to compete effectively with the 'big boys', the rapid improvements in recent years in the presentation of their service buses and the comprehensiveness of their sevice network'.     

My thanks to Godfrey for his contribution

Thanks for the Memory 2

Six AEC Swifts at the time of Jim's visit to Caister Road
In response to my 'Thanks for the Memory' feature on Saturday, regular corresponder Jim Long has been in contact

'It was the 8th August 1996 when I took this photo and I knew that within the next month that the Great Yarmouth fleet would be in the hands of Eastern Counties/ GRT

I wanted to get as many photos as I could before the changes took place and I picked Market Gates for my shooting and boy oh boy what a mistake! Having only film at the time, most of my photo's were rather dark in the dark hole of Calcutta (nothing changes Jim!)

The next time I visited Gt Yarmouth was in August 1997 when most, if not all the fleet, was in that GRT style livery. I had gained enough photo failures to try elsewhere,which I did!'

Jim's photo shows six of the AEC Swift's lined up in numerical order from right to left - one can only ask what happened to No 84!

My thanks to Jim for the report and pic

Sunday 6 July 2014

Cromer Half Hour

Coasthopper Solo YK08EUC now 47903 in the Stagecoach fleet
After  visiting the north Norfolk Railway's Vintage Transport Weekend, I thought I would drop in at Cromer on my way home

I allowed myself only thirty minutes to get some photos and I was handsomely rewarded with some good subjects

Passing Cadogan Road Car & Coach Park I observed a Norfolk
Konect 's open topper R739XRV on the Norfolk Coaster
Green Solo laying over
prior to its next working. It was Coasthopper branded YK08EUC now adorned with Stagecoach fleet number 47903. As I took my photo the friendly driver jokingly said 'That will cost you a fiver!'

As I continued down the road to the old bus station, which had lost the building standing on the corner since my last
Former Isle of Man decker now registered as PM03EHR with Sanders Coaches
visit, Konect's open topper arrived in the light rain! After a short time Volvo Olympian R739XRV continued on its next Norfolk Coaster circuit.

Within minutes Sanders 107 PM03EHR arrived on an X44 service. 107 is one of two former Isle of Man deckers which entered service last month - the other is 108 PM03EJC. 

I think you will agree a very productive stop off - being in the right place at the right time!

Vintage Transport Weekend ~ Saturday

Bristol MW5G/ECW 5789AH at Weybourne
This weekend saw the North Norfolk Railway hold their Vintage Transport event. I initially planned to attend today but a family commitment meant that I had to change the visit to Saturday at the last moment.

Undeterred by the rain, I made an early start and arrived at Weybourne for a cuppa at around 10:30 - steering clear of a busy Sheringham
The four buses on arrival included two Routemasters

After a browse around the bookshop, I wondered to the road to see if I could see any signs of the 11:05 bus from Cley Visitor Centre to Holt. After a few minutes Eastern Transport Collection's Eastern Counties Bristol MW5G 5789AH came into view sporting its Metropolitian Coaches livery of Great Yarmouth

Royal Blue Bristol MW6G 617DDV arrives at Holt Railway Station
After an early lunch I decided to go to Holt Station to see what vehicles were there; only four were present when I arrived

Half of them were Routemasters -   CUV151C and CUV321C. The former was RM2151 and was one of the shorter versions entering service at Willesden in 1965. It is currently operated by Awaydays
Bus and Us Routemaster CUV321C
on the North Norfolk Railway's Holt Flyer during the summer months

The other, as RML2321, is one of the later longer variants and began work in the Country Area working out of Northfleet and Windsor. After a repaint in red for Central Area use it was withdrawn in 2005 and passed to Ensign who restored it. Norfolk based Bus and Us Limited acquired it
Northern Scottish Leyland Tiger EAV458 at Holt
for local private hire work. Bus and Us are a father, daughter and son-in-law team who also undertake PCV and HGV training services. I am grateful to Kimberley Wells for her time

The other two vehicles were Konect's Optare Tempo 412 YJ09MHY and Jonathan Joplin's Volvo B10M FAH275Y in the livery of the now defunct local operator
The interior of EAV458
Smiths of Wood Norton

Also arriving was ECW bodied Bristol MW6G 617DDV from North Somerset Coaches. It was no 2250 in the Royal Blue express fleet of Southern National which was based at Exeter and Ilfracombe and also formed part of the Associated Motorways Network centred on Cheltenham

Another Routemaster in attendance was RML2419 JJD419D which was entered by the Brandon Bus & Coach Preservation Society ans a regular attendee at this event

However, the star of the show, as far as I was concerned, was 1948 Leyland Tiger PS1/ Duple EAV458 in Northern Scottish livery. My short trip on the half cab back to Holt Station was the highlight of the day. The ornate interior was a sight to behold

In excess of twenty vehicles were entered although not all were present on the Saturday.

Saturday 5 July 2014

Thanks for the Memories

Tim Miller has made me aware of the accompanying photo which recently appeared on Mike Bierton's Facebook page

It shows the interior of Great Yarmouth's Caister Road depot showing a number AEC Swifts at the rear of the depot.

Attempting to hide amongst the fleet support vehicles is one of the eight Eastern Coach Works bodied Bristol VRs registered RVF32-9R

The picture is undated and I would welcome any comments blog readers might have.

My thanks to Tim and Mike for an interesting picture

Groundhog Day!

Before starting this post, I offer my apologies for the minimum amount of postings recently appearing on the blog.  This is primarily due to the failure of my PC to fire up and my iPad seizing up shortly after! The former is being replaced by a brand spanking new version whilst the latter is now fully operational. Luckily things have been a little quieter than usual!

To return to the subject of this post, yesterday regular contributor Jamie Skinner sent me the following email:-
'Haven't really had the chance to get pictures but good to see Olympian 34108 W435CWX still out in service, I haven't seen 34186 S686AAE materialise yet though, so if it is roadworthy or not I'm not sure..

Anyway, 34108 came roaring past me on The Conge and luckily I had a chance to get a picture.(top right) It was operating the Town Centre 7 from Belton, funnily enough with no passengers on board though! I guess it passed through Market Gates after I spotted it and then to the depot to work a Bernard Matthews duty soon after'


This morning I received another email from Jamie. Whilst going for his No 7 bus to Belton at the Magdalen Arms stop in Gorleston, he was passed by an Olympian working in the opposite direction. It was 34108 on the No 8 service to Caister via Great Yarmouth - Groundhog Day!!

My thanks to Jamie for his reports and photos

Friday 4 July 2014

New X1Timetable Published

My contact at First tells me that the new X1 timetable is now available online

The current road works at Postwick on the A47 near Norwich, has meant that the service will run in two parts from Sunday 27 July 2014.

As the road works are expected to last 18 months this change is being introduced as a temporary measure. 


Splitting the X1 route enables First to manage the service more effectively with the road works being monitored continuously

Further details of the changes and links to the amended timetables can be found HERE

Wednesday 2 July 2014

Latest Anglianbus repair

Tim Miller reports the arrival of MAN EcoCity gasbus 108 at Beccles based Car & Commercials during yesterday afternoon

Only days after appearing at the Lowestoft in Motion event with new fleet names, the bus seemed to be suffering from problems with its doors following an incident at Lowestoft Railway Station earlier that afternoon

My thanks to our 'eagle eyed' observer Tim Miller for his report and photo

Tuesday 1 July 2014

Swap Shop

37574 AU58ECY arrives at the James Paget Hospital with the 2 from Barrack Estate
I was at Gorleston's James Paget Hospital late this afternoon and observed the rare working of a decker on First's service 2

Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied VolvoB9TL 37574 AU58ECY arrived at the hospital terminus with the 15:45 from Barrack Estate.

The service is usually the preserve of single deckers because of the tortuous route through Shrublands Estate. However, Oak Road on the estate is still closed to traffic with the route presently diverted via Crab Lane

Shortly after Wright Renown 66126 S116STP arrived at the terminus with the next service 8 from Caister - usually a decker working!