#TBT ~ Ambassador Travel H167EJU

This week's #TBT Throwback Thursday features a coach from the Great Yarmouth based Ambassador Travel fleet.

The photo shows H167EJU at Kings Lynn's Vancouver Centre Bus Station in the early 1990s, when Eastern Counties ruled the roost. The coach was a Plaxton Paramount 3500 bodied Volvo B10M new to the operator in April 1991 as their 125.

It is seen on the National Express 308 service to Aberdare, originating from Great Yarmouth. From September 2015 National Express cancelled the service which by then had then been terminating at Bromborough (near Birkenhead) However, the service now runs as far as Birmingham as the 371.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 27th September 2017

A few changes to local bus services to report in today's Notices & Proceedings Report published by the East of England Traffic Commissioner.

Anglianbus is to amend the timetable of its Bungay to Lowestoft 61/61A/61B/61C services from 13th November 2017.
National Express is to vary the timetable of its 490/1 services between Lowestoft Bus Station and London Victoria Coach Station, via Great Yarmouth, from 6th November 2017. The operator is also to cease the one daily 497 run between Great Yarmouth and London Victoria Coach Station, via Lowestoft, from 13th November 2017.

Venturer Coachways of Brightwell in Suffolk surrendered its operational licence with effect from 18th September 2017.

The complete Notice & Proceedings Report, covering all of the Eastern Traffic Commissioner's Area, can be viewed HERE

Roy

First News in Pictures

Unfortunately I didn't make the East Anglian Transport Museum's Trolleybus Weekend on Sunday as intended, although I understand it was a successful event involving the running of ten trolleybuses from seven different cities and towns.

That meant I missed the running of First Eastern Counties heritage liveried YG02DKU on the free Park and Ride service between Ashburnham Way and the museum. However, Cameron Robinson sends in a photo of it on one of the runs during Sunday.

As you will have read from one of Grahame's posts, both former First Borders Volvo B9TL/Wright Geminis at Great Yarmouth (37141/2 SN57HDA/C) went on loan to Norwich this weekend. Again Cameron was on the spot to record the former working the 25 route in the city to the University of East Anglia

My thanks to Cameron for the use of his photos

Roy

24 Hours of Surprises!

A scene soon to disappear after November this year?
Versa AU11EPE on the withdrawn 71 Belton service
pictured in Gorleston High Street in March this year

Wow! The last twenty four hours have certainly thrown up a couple of surprises!

The first, exclusively reported yesterday afternoon by SteveW on his Bus & Train Page where he states Anglianbus is to withdraw its presence from Great Yarmouth. Although not quite strictly true as it will continue to keep a foot in the town by starting the 61 service from the James Paget Hospital on weekdays from November. I must say that Anglian's decision has not come as a complete surprise as I have seen their services being gradually whittled down over recent months

The second surprise, is this morning's announcement by Zak Nelson of the impending closure of the Norwich Bus Page, although he will continue to keep the Facebook site going. Its a bit sad to see this happening as Norwich Bus Page was always seen by us as a healthy competitor in those early days and, despite its name, used to concentrate initially on activity in the the Great Yarmouth area!

That doesn't leave many of the 'famous five' continuing to blog regularly. Good luck in whatever you do Zak and hope to continue to see you on the enthusiast circuit.

What a busy 24 hours of surprises its been then.

Roy

Winter Timetable Changes

Many local operators have announced changes on their websites regarding their winter services.

Anglianbus began a revised timetable for the 88 and X88 Southwold - Halesworth - Norwich services, including a changed route in Bungay, from last Sunday 17th September 2017. The timetable is available HERE

BorderBus also commenced revised services to Sir John Leman School in Beccles at the beginning of the new school term on 6th September 2017. These timetables, including the new SJL9 service from Wangford, can be viewed on the BorderBus website

First's 1B service at the rail station during June this year

Meanwhile, First Eastern Counties began running a winter timetable yesterday on its Coastal Clipper 1 and 1A routes which will continue to operate up to every thirty minutes. However, the seasonal 1B between Hemsby and Great Yarmouth Rail Station will cease to operate. The new timetable can be downloaded by clicking HERE

From 3rd September there were also minor changes implemented on First's Lowestoft Town Services 99/99B to Southwold, 103 to Burnt Hill and 106 to Carlton Coleville; plus a route amendment on the last mentioned.

Our Bus has also issued new timetables on a number of its services commencing from the 9th September 2017. As the services are too numerous to mention, more information can be found on the Our Bus Website

Roy

Sunday Sightings & First News

Firstly a couple of photos from today to share.  Latest arrival for Reynolds we reported last week is a Mercedes Mini coach YX07AWM, this has now gained Fleet names and has been named 'Lady Joanna'. Seen below at The Ormesby Road Garage this afternoon.

I also managed to catch up with the latest repaint at First Great Yarmouth today, 42929 SN05EAJ has returned to Service and had its various numbers and lettering applied.

Finally a couple of moves to report, Volvo B9TL's 37141/37142 (SN57HDA/HDC) have gone to Norwich on Loan from Great Yarmouth this afternoon.

37142 pictured at Caister Road in July this year.

Grahame.

Trolleybus Weekend

Tomorrow sees the beginning of the annual Trolleybus Weekend at the East Anglia Transport Museum at Carlton Colville.

Star of this year's event will be Teesside trolleybus No.11 (291) which appears following extensive restoration work. This will be the first time this trolleybus has been at the museum for many years and it is expected to be one of at least ten trolleybuses in service over the weekend.

As usual free vintage bus services will be operated to Lowestoft & Beccles with First Eastern Counties kindly providing the park & ride service.

Further information is available on the East Anglia Transport Museum's website.

Roy

#TBT ~ Lincoln City Transport C46KBE

Our time machine this week takes us back to the early 1990s with another visitor to Great Yarmouth's Beach Coach Station - Lincoln City Transport's C46KBE

Craig Schofield on Flickr says the decker 'is a long wheelbase East Lancs bodied Leyland Olympian which was new to them in October 1985 as fleet number 46. This was numerically the first of three identical vehicles. They were quite impressive vehicles when new as they had 6LXCT engines and high ratio diffs so had quite a decent turn of speed on a longish road! At the time, Lincoln City Transport had a few National Express contracts and these occasionally were used to replace the AEC Reliances or Leyland Tigers when they were off the road'

C46KBE later became part of the Lincolnshire Road Car fleet when they took over Lincoln City Transport in February 1993. The following year the Olympian was repainted into 'Coachlink' livery and was mainly based at Louth depot

It was subsequently acquired by Stephenson's Coaches of Rochford in Essex who, in turn, sold it on to MacPherson (?) during 2006 and it's there that the trail runs cold.

Roy

First Great Yarmouth News

Further to Roy's post in which he reported Excel liveried Gemini 37578 AU58EDJ working Town service 6 this afternoon another strange allocation saw Norwich Turquiose Line Gemini 36173 BD11CFX employed on the 1B service to Hemsby. I would guess it is due an MOT at Caister Road in the next few days.

It was later employed on the 1/1A route between Lowestoft and Martham and arrived at Ormesby Royal Oak this evening just in time for another photo opportunity with Simon at the wheel.

Today also saw the return of repainted Dart 42929 SN05EAJ from Simon Morris in Ipswich, fellow Yarmouth Dart 42919 EU05AUL has now been taken up to Ipswich for its turn in the paint booth.


Many Thanks to Simon for use of his photos.

Grahame.

BorderBus Update

After successfully completing my quest to get a photo of a First Excel decker on the 6, I thought I would hang around (after finishing the shopping!) to see what would turn up on the Borderbus 14:16 Bungay to Great Yarmouth 580 service.

I was hopeful in that it might be one of the two remaining red liveried Scania OmniCity deckers and, surprise surprise, it was! However, the registration threw me completely as it had special plate BB57BUS. Now was it LX59CNC or LX59CNJ? A prompt reply to my tweet to BorderBus confirmed it was the latter which also now has the fleet number 210.

The 'new' trio have displaced the former Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis BB03BUS, LF52ZPB/C which have gone to Scania in exchange. Incidentally the other red Scania carries the registration BB58BUS, fleet number 208 and was previously LX59CNC.

BorderBus is currently awaiting certification for the newly painted 209 LX59CNE (see BorderBus Repaint) before the next one goes away for the same treatment at Hants & Dorset Trim.

The operator also reports that the 580 Bungay to Great Yarmouth service is doing extremely well and proving to be very popular.

Roy

First Excel On The 6

This afternoon, whilst I was heading to Gorleston High Street, a First Eastern Counties Excel liveried double decker was noted on the 1335 Great Yarmouth to Bradwell route.

I intended getting a photo of Gemini AU58EDJ's  return working, the 13:53 departure from Bradwell. The first picture, taken on Church Lane, didn't show the destination so a quick sprint to the High Street stop ensured I got the result I wanted!

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 20th September 2017

Just a couple of entries relating to local bus services feature in today's Notices & Proceedings Report published by the East of England Traffic Commissioner.

Anglianbus has registered a normal stopping / hail and ride service 90 between Halesworth and Southwold via Beccles to replace its 60S and 60H services from 29th October 2017

North Walsham based PTS Group (Norfolk) Limited has had its application granted for a three vehicle operating centre at Tilia Business Park off Tunstead Road in Hoveton.

The complete Notice & Proceedings Report, covering all of the Eastern Traffic Commissioner's Area, can be viewed HERE

Roy

Borderbus Repaint

One of the three recently aquired ex Stagecoach London Scania Omnicities has been away at Hants & Dorset Trim for refurbishment and conversion to single door. LX59CNE (ex 15139) is now in Borderbus colours and was captured out on at test run in Eastleigh a couple of days ago.

Many thanks to Mike for the use of his photograph. You can see more of his photographs via Flickr HERE

Grahame.

Anglianbus Fleet Update

During the past few days Anglianbus has published its latest fleet list on its website with a few significant changes to report.

OmniCity YN03WRJ on Regent Road in Great Yarmouth about to work the old 81 route in April this year

Since the operator's last update, Scania OmniCitys 461 and 462 (YN05HFG and YN03WRJ) have been withdrawn; whilst its last Scania OmniDekka 554 (YN55PZC) joins former Anglian YN55PZF at Chambers.

OmniDekka YN55PZC at Market Gates during March this year on the 61 service

Regarding the thirteen Mercedes-Benz Citaros, arriving on loan from Go South Coast during the early summer, only three remain in service. They are 2416/31/3 (HF55JZR and HX06EYZ/EZA) whilst another two, in the form of  2413/5 (HF55JZN/P) are withdrawn. I am assuming the remainder have returned down south. (I have subsequently been informed by Colin Oakley that a number of them are stored at the Thamesdown Transport premises in Swindon)

Since withdrawn, Citaro HF55JZT is also seen working the 61 route at Lowestoft's Gordon Road in July this year

The listing is dated 8th September and shows no Konectbus vehicles on loan. The fleet has now slimmed down to just 23 vehicles.

Roy

Where Are They Now? ~ R334RCJ Continued

In December 2014 I posted information on the then current whereabouts of former Swift Taxis Dennis Javelin R334RCJ (Where Are They Now - 16th December 2014 refers)

As you can see from the comments section of the original post, I have subsequently received an update that it's 'still going strong' in North Wales. 'Motor Movies TV' tells me that R354RCJ is now with Lewis-y-Llan Bus & Coach Hire of Amlwch on the Isle of Anglesey; having transferred there soon after I had prepared the original post!

Graham Ashworth has kindly provided a photo of the coach with its new operator still retaining the livery applied by Wilkins Coaches of Cymmer. My thanks to Graham for the photo and to 'Motor Movies TV' for the update.

Roy

Former Reynolds Coach Spotted

Whilst out and about for work today, i came across a former Reynolds Of Caister vehicle which had recently been sold. It has passed to Chet Coaches of Chedgrave near Loddon in Norfolk.

BEZ3139 is a Volvo B10M-60 with Van Hool bodywork, it was new as J43UFL, Reynolds had it refurbished a couple of years ago with new front and rear bodywork before gaining their Silver livery

Grahame.

Current Bus Loans

Currently on hire to Anglianbus is Konectbus Optare Versa MX08UZT which I noted in use on Tuesday on the 61 to Great Yarmouth. As usual, I was driving and, therefore, unable to get a photo of it when seen on Gorleston's Brasenose Avenue working the 15:10 from Kessingland.

However, Simon Bartram was able to get a photograph of it this morning on a similar 61 working at Lowestoft's Gordon Road. My thanks to Simon for the use of his photo.

Meanwhile, First Great Yarmouth have First Lowestoft's Alexander Dennis Enviro200 45116 (VT09JPT) on hire. Many thanks to Simon Taylor for the use of his photo.

Roy

#TBT ~ Flying Banana D789RFM

Going back in time this week we revisit long gone local independent Flying Banana, otherwise known as Halesworth Transit.

The photo shows a Dormobile bodied sixteen seated Freight Rover 365 at the operator's Yarmouth Business Park premises in the early 1990s. Registered D789RFM, it was one of five similar minibuses on long term hire from Carlyle of Birmingham commencing in 1991. As for D789RFM, it was new to Crosville in November 1986 receiving fleet number MSR789.

Many of the locals still hanker for the good old days of the Banana Buses which certainly did rattle the cage of its larger competitors. I certainly used them and remember the antics of the operators trying to get to the next bus stop first to pick up fares. It also included blocking the rival in at the stops too! Ah the memories....

Roy

Beestons At The Beach

Like the proverbial bus, you wait for ages for a post and then three turn up on the same day! Our third post relates to a Beestons coach which was one of twelve at Great Yarmouth's Beach Coach Station earlier today.

The arrival was VanHool Alizee T9 bodied Volvo B12B bearing the registration 221GRA

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 13th September 2017

Again just three entries regarding changes to local bus services feature in today's Notices & Proceedings Report published by the East of England Traffic Commissioner.

All relate to services provided by Anglianbus with the first advising of retrospective timetable changes on the 61/61A/61B/61C routes between Bungay and Lowestoft commencing on the 4th September 2017.

The same operator is also cancelling its 60S service between Beccles and Southwold plus its 60H route from Beccles to Halesworth from 29th October 2017. Both are provided under a Suffolk County Council contract.

The complete Notice & Proceedings Report, covering all of the Eastern Traffic Commissioner's Area, can be viewed HERE

Roy

Unusual Arrival at Caister Road

An unusual vehicle arrived at First's Great Yarmouth's depot during yesterday evening. It was previously a double deck Volvo Citybus which has since been converted for use as a mobile theatre.

Grey liveried Alexander RV bodied G91PES is in the town for use at the Out There Festival being held in Great Yarmouth over this coming weekend. Owned by Halifax based IOU Limited, the bus has been completely rebuilt behind the cab with theatre style seating facing backwards.

It was new to Tayside in Scotland in late 1989 and there is a photo on Flickr taken in September the following year. IOU subsequently acquired it from Hilton Coach Travel of Newton-le-Willows by the April of last year.

My thanks to First Great Yarmouth for the photos.

Roy

#TBT ~ Beach Coach Station August 1994 (Part Six)

Yes its Thursday again and this week's Throw Back Thursday (#TBT) is the last in our six part series featuring visitors appearing at Great Yarmouth's Beach Coach Station during August 1994.

Today's subject is Midland Fox's Plaxton Paramount bodied DAF MB230 LJI5631. Numbered 8006 in the fleet, the coach was new to Welsh of Upton in March 1985 when registered as B568HJF. Apart from a reference that it was observed in Pauls Coaches yard at Harriseahead, Staffordshire in July 2007, I can find no further information about the vehicle.

Locals will note that the Elephant & Castle Public House on Nelson Road North can be seen in the background of the photo. It was then still in use as a pub but has subsequently been converted for housing.

Roy

Latest First Repaint on Duty

Lowestoft based Dart 42908 WX05RVR returned to service today after repaint into First Olympia livery at Simon Morris in Ipswich. I managed to catch up with it on my way home this evening at the Bus Station in the town.

Great Yarmouth based Dart 42929 SN05EAJ has gone down to Ipswich to be next in the paint shop at Simon Morris.

Grahame.

Service Alterations Registered ~ 6th September 2017

Three entries regarding changes to local bus services feature in today's Notices & Proceedings Report published by the East of England Traffic Commissioner.

There are two applications to vary two existing services by Coastal Red and Sanders Coaches. The former relates to the alteration of the timetable of its 36 route between Hunstanton Bus Station and Wells next the Sea from 30th October 2017. The latter concerns the retrospective timetable amendment to its 43/43A/43B services from Reepham Market Place to Norwich Bus Station from 3rd September 2017.

D R Fosdike Limited of Halesworth has received consent to use premises at Fairview Road in the market town as an operating centre for one vehicle.

The complete Notice & Proceedings Report, covering all of the Eastern Traffic Commissioner's Area, can be viewed HERE

Roy

Latest Arrival at Reynolds

Another addition to the fleet for Reynolds of Caister is a Mercedes Benz 413CDI 16 Seater Mini Coach YX07AWM, it was new previously with Star Cars, New Barnet and Translinc of Lincoln before heading to Norfolk.

Thanks to Will Drake for one of the photos.

Grahame.

New Kid On The Block

Regular readers will have seen my reference to a new coach operator in our area - Jubilee Coaches of Rollesby.

With the beginning of the new school term I am able to reveal that the 'new kid on the block' has secured three of the thirty five Norfolk schools tenders up for grabs. They have won two tenders serving Stalham schools with the other centring on North Walsham.

I have previously reported that Jubilee have five coaches in the fleet and they include two former Venturer Coachways Dennis Javelins L333JCR and L444JCR. The special plates hide their former identities of  N43AHH and R682DWS respectively and both have Jubilee Coaches white and branding. Robert Kelly tells me that R682DWS was new to Stevens of Bristol in February 1998 whilst L333JCR was new to Windsorian of Windsor in April 1996 as N333ASH.

The three remaining members of the fleet have recently been acquired from Norfolk Coachways with photos of Bedford YNTs VJI8206 and A400NNK already appearing on the blog. The third is another Plaxton Paramount 3200 Bedford YNT registered A838PPP which retains Norfolk Coachways branding at present but is to be refurbished and repainted in due course.

My thanks to Kevan Portas for his assistance in preparing this post and for the use of his photos. Thanks also to Robert Kelly for providing the historical information.

Roy

Beach Coach Station ~ Saturday

More than a dozen coaches were at Great Yarmouth's Beach Coach Station during yesterday afternoon including two from the small West Row Coach Services fleet based in Bury St Edmunds.

They were Scania/Irizar W914BEC and Beulas bodied Irisbus YN57AEV with the latter being purchased from Man of Gravesend during July 2014.

An impressive arrival was A16LNX, a Neoplan Starliner Airlynx Express coach. The operator is based in North Baddesley in Hampshire and acquired it from Ellisons Coaches of St Helens on Merseyside when it was registered ML62OHG.

Roy

First Great Yarmouth Update

News from First's Great Yarmouth depot is that Excel liveried Alexander Dennis Enviro400 33817 (YX63LKF) is to shortly receive a new engine. Normally based at Kings Lynn, it is seen here at Caister Road awaiting the transplant.

A second member of the Excel fleet is also visiting the Great Yarmouth workshops with Lowestoft Enviro400 33821 (YX63LKL) due to have its MOT.

Lowestoft's Dennis Dart SLF 42908 (WX05RVR) has arrived at Caister Road from Simon Morris following a repaint with Great Yarmouth's 42929 (SN05EAJ) taking its place in the Ipswich paint shops.

As previously reported, Wright Eclipse bodied Volvo B7 66344 (MV02VCX) is away at the moment continuing to have a new engine fitted.

Meanwhile, former First Leeds Volvo B9TL/ Wright Eclipse Gemini 36199 (BN12WNZ) is returning off loan back to its home depot of Norwich this weekend. It is seen here at the traffic lights on Bridge Road in Southtown late this afternoon making its way to the James Paget Hospital in Gorleston on service 8.

My thanks to our contacts at First Great Yarmouth for the information.

Roy

VW916 hits the road

Today saw the first day of public service for the recently repainted Volvo B7L 60916 YG02DKU. It has gained the old Eastern Counties Post Office Red livery and has also been given  the special fleet number VW916, It was employed this afternoon on the 24 service.

A quick message to a friend who was out and about with a camera and within minutes we had a shot of her in use in the September Sun!

Many Thanks to David Oakley for the use of his Photograph.

Grahame.

Thursday Sightings

Further to yesterday's Throw Back Thursday post concerning an Ipswich bus appearing at Great Yarmouth's Beach Coach Station during August 1994, I looked in there again yesterday and found another Ipswich bus there some twenty-three years on!

The guest from the Suffolk county town was East Lancs bodied Scania N94UD PJ54YZV which has made many visits before. Numbered 62 in the fleet, it was on a day's excursion from the town. The Ipswich theme continued with former First Ipswich 66979 (KX05MHF), one of three Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipses moving to First Norwich in late June, being employed on the 2 from Market Gates.

Another First Norwich Wright Eclipse loan was 66348 (MV02VDC) being employed on the

service 1 from Martham to Lowestoft. It is seen here in the gloom of Market Gates and it is possible that it was being used as a replacement for Yarmouth's Dart SLF 42929 (SN05EAJ) which has gone away for a repaint.

Meanwhile, Our Bus continue their three summer services with newcomer PN08VEF especially labelled up for the 300 Seashore Holiday Park to Seafront service. The minibus is a VW Crofter with Mellor bodywork. Employed on their 200 circular route was Optare Solo YJ59NNL

Roy