Mid Norfolk Railway Bus & Coach Day

Today I visited the Bus & Coach Day event  held at the Mid Norfolk Railway's Dereham Station

Some twenty two buses and coaches were present including three sent by the event's supporters Konectbus. These comprised two Enviro400s; SN65OAB in Norwich P&R livery and SK15HKA in the Konect express 8 colour scheme. They were joined by Mercedes Benz Citaro artic BD57WDA also freshly painted in Norwich P&R livery (see above)

Five of the buses were Bristol RE's with former Crosville ERG53 UFM 53F being a notable attendee. New in June 1968, this ECW dual purpose bodied bus is owned by Messrs Lawrance and Sampson from the Colchester area

The three Routemasters from Bus & Us arrive at Dereham for the event.  Photo: Reg Vardy

Four former London Transport Routemasters turned up on the day - three from Bus and Us of Melton Constable (including the recently acquired JJD480D from First) and Coach Services' CUV151C

Recently preserved by Leon Wells was this ex Ipswich Buses decker M41EPV, an East Lancs bodied Volvo Olympian, which is seen above entering the car park

After some sustenance, I decided to travel on one of the trains for Hoe - as it was part of the line I hadn't been on during the heritage period. Although I had been on specials to Fakenham in British Rail days!

Having achieved my goal, I perused the timetables and, for the only time I had left, I

Norfolk Coachways Bedford YNT 2176MZ was used on the return from County School

opted for a coach ride to County School. Smith's (Peelings) Plaxton Supreme bodied Volvo B10M duly turned up in the shape of FAH275Y. With the coach filling rapidly, Norfolk Coachways Plaxton Paramount bodied Bedford YNT 2176MZ was summoned forward to assist

Driver's view from FAH275Y heading to County School with Bristol RE XOI2526 making the return journey

Unfortunately the ventilation on the former was almost non existent on a very warm day, so I made my mind up that I would transfer to the later for the return trip. It would also allow for a comparison between the two coaches. For me 2176MZ won hands down being more comfortable and cooler for the ride back. Indeed it should have been as it was delivered new to Cleverly of Cwmbran in in May 1985 as B631 DDW

All in all a very enjoyable event and wished I could have spent more time there taking part in other trips which also included Hardingham, Yaxham (for the light railway) and the Konectbus depot in Dereham. My thanks to the organisers and lets hope it will be repeated soon

Roy