End Of Season Gala ~ Day 2

Duple Commander bodied Bristol RESH KDL885F in Southern Vectis colours

Sunday was the second day of the End Of Season Gala at the East Anglia Transport Museum at Carlton Colville

After some initial taxi duties, I made my way to the museum on ex Eastern National Bristol LD Lodekka XVX19

I joined a couple at the front of the top deck and a conversation began. It became apparent that the gentleman was David

Chris Speed in charge of SN60CAA

Moore from the Isle of Wight Bus Museum.

David had shared some of the driving to get their Bristol RESH KDL885F from the island up to the east coast

He thought he had drawn the short straw in having to drive as far as Colchester, but not so sure as a colleague had to carefully negotiate the car park at Acle's Travelodge to park up the coach!

KDL885F has Duple Commander bodywork and was delivered to Southern Vectis as their 301 during February 1968

Upon arrival I met many of the local guys from First Great Yarmouth outside the entrance.

A special mention for Danny and Des plus Chris Speed, who was gainfully employed on park and ride duty with First's Alexander Dennis

Midland Red Leyland Leopard GOH357N about to depart the EATM

Enviro SN60CAA

Whilst chatting to the guys, I witnessed the departure of ex Midland Red 357 GOH357N on an unidentified outing

The Leyland Leopard PSU3B/2R is one of fifty dual purpose Marshall bodied 49 seaters new in November 1974

I can just about remember some of this type running into Great Yarmouth's Beach 

Eastbourne Pullman UUF335J from the Southdown fleet

Coach Station on summer Saturdays full of holidaymakers from the West Midlands

Another Leopard present was former Southdown 1835 UUF335J. Its Plaxton body was adorned with Southdown Eastbourne Pullman livery

Continuing the stroll down Herting Street I came across a Leyland National in Eastern Counties livery

Leyland National YYE274T masquerading as an Eastern Counties bus

There was something wrong and I quickly realised the registration YYE274T showed it wasn't originally an Eastern Counties vehicle!

I later identified it as belonging to a London Transport bus which was delivered to Aldenham garage in December 1978

However, it didn't enter service until March 1978 being based at

A trio of former Lowestoft buses lined up for the camera

Leyton

After being put into store from 1986, 274 was acquired by Eastbourne Buses and subsequently saw service with Boro' Line of Maidstone and Chase Coaches of Chasetown

The latter was taken over by Arriva in February 2007 with the National being sold three months later to a farm produce business

Eastern National FWC439H complete with its KN garage plate

for use as staff transport

It is now privately preserved in Suffolk and its owner has painstakingly restored it in Counties' colours which looks very good

I later returned to the car park in time to see Syd Eade attempting to marshall  all three former Lowestoft buses together for a photo shot

After much patience he managed to complete the line up and the photo above shows the trio together

Whilst checking the departure board, I turned to see another Eastern National bus present in the form of Bristol RE FWC439H - numbered 1516 in the EN fleet

My thanks to the members of the East Anglia Transport Museum for organising such an enjoyable event