Service Alterations Registered ~ 31st October 2018

This morning's Notices & Proceedings Report, published by the Eastern of England Traffic Commissioner, contains no relevant alterations to the local bus network. However, the full report will be available soon on the Traffic Commissioner's website

Roy

Photo Special Beach Coach Station 2002

Our next photo special takes us back to 2002, it was around this time i purchased my first Digital Camera and really got into the Bus and Coach photography. It was an Olympus C-3000 which was an impressive 3 Million Pixels at the time! I worked in Yarmouth and my walk home after work during the summer months meant i could capture all the Coach visitors on a regular basis.

First up is First Leicester Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere P177NAK which was working a day trip from the Midlands. It moved onto First Southampton were it ended its days as a Driver Trainer in full Barbie livery, one of only a few coaches to gain the livery.

National Holidays are always regular visitors to the town and back in 2002 standard vehicles were Plaxton Bodied Volvo's, W201EAG. It went on to a brief spell with Wallace Arnold before passing to Haytons of Manchester. It is currently in use with J&DS Coaches of Halcrow in Shetland.

The Plaxton Paragon was a popular Coach in 2002 and Wallace Arnold invested in a large batch in 2001. Y748HWT is pictured above in front of a National Holidays coah of silmilar style. Since then Shearings and Wallace Arnold became one with National Holidays added aswell to form one large group, the Wallace Arnold name unfortunately is no more.

Shearings are regularly featured on the blog and i have always photographed their fleet whenever one is in town. R909YBA Is a Van Hool Bodied Volvo. It went on to work for Fishers Tours of Dundee and was last with Mcleans of Stranraer North of the border.

Finally a vehicle of local interest is P33TCC a Paxton bodied Dennis Javelin that was with Sanders of Holt, i would guess a recent aquistion at the time as it was allover White. It was new to Travellers Choice Coaches of Hounslow. It did go on to gain full Sanders livery.

Grahame.

And So To Bed

The expression 'And so to bed' was often used by Samuel Pepys at the end of his day's diary entry but in this case it refers to some of the First Eastern Counties fleet resting at the end of a day's work at their Caister Road depot.

The photos were taken earlier this week by a First employee and their submission is much appreciated as we don't often have the opportunity to publish photos taken inside depots.

Roy

Today's Observations

Today sees the continuation of rail replacement services at Great Yarmouth station. In use this afternoon was Angies Tours King Long WJI5242 on the 14:17 departure. Waiting on the Asda service road was Freestones Coaches LIB3768 (has it moved since yesterday?!) and Belle Coaches LIL9718



Three First Great Yarmouth ALX400 bodied Volvo B7TLs were picking up workers for Bernard Matthews this afternoon and they were, in order, 32065 W425SRP, 32063 W223XBD and 30960 Y51RDU. The trio are pictured stopping at Beach Coach Station on Nelson Road North



Roy

Great Yarmouth Rail Replacement

Today it's the turn of Great Yarmouth for observations of rail replacement bus services whilst re-signalling work continues on Greater Anglia's Wherry Line.

The work began early on Saturday morning (20th October 2018) and is expected to last until the end of this weekend. The lines between Norwich and Great Yamouth/Lowestoft are all closed throughout the period with track alterations at Reedham continuing to affect train services into next year

Belle Coaches' Mercedes BF62JZR was one of two coaches employed on the 10:17 departure 

I was in position to record the departure of two Belle Coaches substituting for the 10:17 to Norwich with Volvo B10M OJI 4755 leading Mercedes Benz Tourismo BF62JZR on their journey to the city.

The 10:36 departure from Norwich arrived with Sanders Coaches' Volvo B12M 3990ME in charge which was later pictured on the Asda service road behind the station.

Also on standby on the Asda service road was Freestones Coaches Kassbohrer Setra LIB3768

Finally, Suffolk Norse Irisbus Eurorider Marcopolo PN57CUU was employed on the 11:17 departure from Great Yarmouth Station. It was also earlier parked on the Asda service road.

Roy

More Lowestoft Rail Replacements

Tim Miller has sent photos of a couple of different coaches appearing on rail replacement duties this morning

First up is one of Sanders two Jonckheere bodied Volvo B13RTs recently acquired from Lochs and Glens. BT14DLX was working the 10:57 Lowestoft to Norwich service at Lowestoft Station this morning.

Immediately behind was Neoplan MM10BUS, operated by M&M Staffing of Cooksmill Green near Chelmsford. It is the first vehicle owned by this new operator and was acquired in June this year from Regal Busways.

My thanks to Tim for the information and photos

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 24th October 2018

Just one entry of relevance in today's Notices and Proceedings Report, published by the East of England Traffic Commissioner.

It concerns the revocation of a licence without a public Inquiry. The registered services running under the licence held by Paula Berry, Jacqueline Berry of Benacre Road in Beccles have been revoked with immediate effect.

The full report will be available soon on the Traffic Commissioner's website.

Roy

Lowestoft Rail Replacement

Rail services in Lowestoft have also been substituted by replacement bus services, in addition to those at Great Yarmouth, as both lines are subjected to the same re-signalling work.

Our Lowestoft correspondent Simon Bartram has provided photos of replacement operations over the last few days from when work commenced on Saturday. On that day he recorded Belle Coaches' Setra LIL9715 and Smiths Coaches, Volvo L8SLT in use; with Angies Tours' MAN T777GSM on standby.

On Sunday operators Belle Coaches and Simmonds were represented with MAN VRY841 of the latter being pictured at Oulton Broad North Station.

Monday saw Suffolk Norse IVECO Eurorider PN57CTZ and Coach Services YN10EDC in use.

Roy

Pressed Into Service

Further to Sunday's post on the arrival of the two Scania L94UBs from First Essex, Caister Road has lost no time in putting them both into revenue earning service today.

First's SN51UYL on Church Lane with a James Paget to Caister service this afternoon

65673/7 SN51UYG/L were both observed working on the 8 James Paget Hospital to Caister route earlier this afternoon.

Roy

More Sunday Sightings

Not only did the arrival of two First Essex Scanias provoke interest in the Great Yarmouth area yesterday but a second day of rail replacement services did so too.

When I arrived at the Great Yarmouth station yesterday Angies Coaches' King Long TIG3393 was at the front of two ready to work to Norwich; the other was Freestones Coaches Kassbohrer Setra LIB3768 (apologies for the poor quality photo).

On standby in Asda car park was two Sanders Coaches - Volvo B12BT 902 OGR647 and VDL Bova 805 YVJ677. Spratts Coaches were also involved

I returned via Beach Coach Station where I found Coopers Tours R70JCS, a Volvo B11R/Plaxton Panther, and National Holidays Kassbohrer Setra NH11CTH.

Roy

Latest Arrivals

As expected, two First Essex Scanias arrived at Great Yarmouth’s Caister Road depot earlier today but they were not the two we were led to believe were coming!

65673 SN51UYG arrived instead of 65672 and the former is seen enjoying the sunshine at Caister Road around lunchtime today.

As predicted 65677 SN51UYL was there at around the same time but was noted parked front inwards

However, one out of two aint that bad! Apparently 65672 broke down on Friday in Clacton and that’s why 65673 arrived instead.

Roy

Down On The Farm Once More

Its that time of year when extra workers are required across the regions farms to assist with processing various crops and this means Transport being supplied to move the workforce around safely. G's Growers Ltd run a fleet of Double Deck vehicles from Soham in Cambridgeshire and various vehicles have been noted over the past few weeks at Hirst's Farm in my home village of Ormesby St. Margaret.

Two former Stagecoach Deckers have been the regulars so far this year with R562/564DRP noted in use. Both seen above in the yard in Ormesby yesterday afternoon.

Grahame. 

College Coasthopper

One of Sanders Coaches Coasthopper branded vehicles was unusually in use on the 834 Gorleston to Stalham service earlier this afternoon

Wright Eclipse Urban bodied Volvo B7RLE 509 HF54HGX is seen waiting time for its 16:00 departure from Gorleston's East Norfolk Sixth Form College on Church Lane.

Roy

New Arrivals Due

With production activity increasing at Bernard Matthews in the lead up to Christmas, First Eastern Counties are having to provide additional buses to cope with transporting more workers. Already Caister Road has retrieved Trident 32809 T809LLC from Norwich training duties for such work.

Wright Solar bodied Scania 65677 SN51UYL seen in Colchester (Photo: Grahame Bessey)

We recently received information from First that two more buses would arrive at Caister Road to enable First Great Yarmouth cope with demand. Straightaway Grahame began investigations to identify what was going to arrive through his contacts locally and in Essex

Scania 65672 SN51UYE when based at Ipswich (Photo: Jim Long)

Later we found that the newcomers would be two Scania saloons from First Essex and, not only that, they were identified to be 65672/7 SN51UYE/L. The former has been with First Eastern Counties before when based at Ipswich. They are expected to arrive in the next day or so.

My thanks to Grahame for the detective work and to the contacts at First for the information.

Roy

Reynolds Retrace ~ BIG8768

I have tracked down another former Reynolds coach with its new owner. Plaxton Premier bodied Dennis Javelin BIG8768 is now with Global Travel of Kidsgrove

It is seen at Derby Bus Station on 5th September and retains its Reynolds livery complete with yellow triangle. 'Guy Arab UF' tells me that the only reason the photo is on Flickr is because 'no one else seems to have it with the current Global Travel'

My thanks to Guy Arab UF for his permission to reproduce his photo

Roy

Wednesday Wonder

This afternoon I went for wander into Great Yarmouth and found four tourers at the town's Beach Coach Station.

Left to right: National Holidays NH15LDH, NH63BYH Alfa Travel BX15OED and National Holidays NH17DFH

Three were from the National Holidays' fleet in the form of Mercedes Benz Tourismos NH15LDH and NH17DFH plus Kassbohrer Setra NH63BYH. The fourth coach was Alfa Travel's Tourismo BX15OED

ALX400s 32058 W218XBD and 32061 W221XBD pass Beach Coach Station earlier this afternoon

I hung around to see what was working the Bernard Matthews contract runs and was surprised to see three deckers from First arrive. They were Alexander ALX400 bodied Volvo B7TLs 32061 W221XBD, 32058 W218XBD and 30959 YJ51RCO.

Yesterday's arrival at Caister Road, Trident 32809 T809LLC, is receiving its class 6 MOT and will also be used on Bernard Matthews duties in the near future.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 17th October 2018

Today's Notices & Proceedings Report, published by the Eastern of England Traffic Commissioner, contains some entries affecting the local bus network.

First Eastern Counties is to amend the route, timetable and stopping places of its 75,76 and 77 routes between Ipswich and Felixstowe from 18th September 2018. Also on the same day, First is to alter the timetable of its X7 service by providing more fast services operating hourly between the two towns.

Regarding operator licensing there has been two surrenders and one application withdrawal. AJ & GA Buckland of Marlesford Road of Hacheston, Woodbridge and Carol Ann Penny of Station Road in Lingwood are to cease operations. Michelle Cushing has withdrawn her application to use premises at Englands Lane in Acle as an operating centre prior to determination

The full report will be available soon on the Traffic Commissioner's website

Roy

Trident Returns

Almost six months after leaving Caister Road, former First Southampton Trident 32809 T809LLC has returned to the town from Norwich where it was in use as a driver training vehicle. The Trident is here for its annual MOT.

After a run through the bush wash, Trident T809LLC is parked up in the rear yard at Caister Road

My thanks to First Eastern Counties for the information and photo

Roy

Gloomy Gorleston

A few observations during a visit to a gloomy Gorleston High Street during yesterday afternoon.

The first is Lowestoft's Volvo B9 36215 BJ12VWX which was employed on an X11 service from Belton to Norwich. Not sure if this is unusual or not as it could be part of its day's interworking schedule with the X1 prior to returning to its home depot.

The next is of Plaxton President bodied Volvo B7TL 32206 LT52WTM which has subsequently returned to service following an engine replacement. It had been off the road since June and the last I heard was that it was due to return during September.

BorderBus regularly uses a decker on its 14:16 Bungay to Great Yarmouth 580 service and yesterday freshly painted Scania OmniCity 208 BB58BUS did the honours.

Roy

Sunday Five

Gee-Vee Travel's GT11GVT & National Holidays NH17BFH

Just the five coaches appearing at Great Yarmouth's Beach Coach Station at lunch time today.

The first pairing comprised National Holidays' Mercedes Benz Tourismo NH17BFH parked beside Gee-Vee Travel's GT11GVT. The latter being a Bova Futura, a type quite common in the Gee-Vee fleet.

The second twosome were AVA Coach.com's Neoplan Tourliner MF11LUO keeping company with Eastbourne Executive Travel's Kassbohrer Setra BL02XJU. The Setra was previously with Hawkes of Derby after being delivered new to Evobus of Coventry in July 2002

Eastbourne Executive Travel's BL02KJU  and AVA Coach.com's MF11LUO in the lunch time gloom

The remaining vehicle was Chesterfield based KM Executive's VDL YD17WYY.

Roy

Darting Around The UK

First bought a batch of Ex Connex, Jersey Caetano bodied Darts in 2013 which were split between various depots of which Great Yarmouth was one. The Darts are now well travelled after their spell with FEC. They worked at Yarmouth, Lowestoft and Norwich before being transferred elsewhere.

43861 EG52FGJ at Caister Road awaiting entry into service back in May 2013. (Grahame)

The batch were moved down to the South West to First Kernow in 2016, this included similar vehicles from Essex and Potteries.

43861 pictured with First Kernow at Newquay Bus Station in June 2017. (Zak Nelson)

Recently the Darts have again moved on, This time up to Scotland with First Glasgow. The vehicles are being repainted into a newer version of First's corporate livery.

43859 EG52FHD now in the newer corporate livery in Glasgow. (David Oakley)

Many thanks to Zak & David for the photographs.

Grahame.

Torbay ~ Late September

Whilst it's almost a fortnight ago now, I thought I would share some photos with you of my week's stay in Torbay. I was hoping to post this earlier but with the amount of photos taken and a bout of the dreaded lurgy it has been delayed until now.

Stagecoach Gold Scania N240UD/Enviro 400 15929 YN63BXB on Torbay Road in Torquay heading for Totnes

During almost all of  last week in September we were blessed with warm sunny weather whilst being based in Torquay. The predominant operator (in case you're unaware!) was Stagecoach South West. However, not all their buses were in the usual colours as three routes had special liveries and that doesn't include the presence of Stagecoach Gold which connected the area with Totnes and Plymouth.

Stagecoach South West 15316 YN67YJZ exits Paignton Bus Station on the Hop12 to Brixham

The branded Hop12 Newton Abbot to Brixham route was worked by 67 registered Scania N250UD /ADL Enviro 400 MMCs which looked very smart in their red and white colours scheme.

Hop 22 branded Scania 15865 WA62ANX  awaiting passengers at the Strand in Torquay

The Hop22, between Dawlish Warren and South Devon College was worked by green and white liveried ADL Enviro400 bodied Scania N230UDs from late 2012.

Open tops at Torquay - Stagecoach South West's 18186 MX54LPN passed by English Riviera Sightseeing's J343BSH
The latter, a Leyland Olympian, was previously used by Essex-based Talisman

The St Marychurch to Paignton Zoo Hop122 was operated by recently converted ALX400 bodied ADL Trident open toppers in their yellow white and orange colours with each one individually named.

Dartmouth Rail River Link Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President Y827TGH leaving Paignton Bus Station for Totnes

Open toppers were also provided by English Riveria Sightseeing Tours and the Dartmouth Rail River Link. The former was also using former Stockport Leyland Titan PD2/3 FFY403 on some journeys

The only independents I observed in the area were Allansway Coaches (trading as Country Bus), Dartline and Torbay Buses - all of which were seen operating Optare Solos! Photos clockwise: Country Bus uses YJ11EKJ at Teignmouth, Dartline YT09OTX also in Teignmouth, Torbay Buses 'Discover the Cockington Experience' branded RK07KOA at the Strand in Torquay and finally Torbay Buses LP15LPN departing Paignton Bus Station

Belle's Mercedes Benz Tourismo BF62JZF in the coach park of a Belgrave Road hotel in Torquay

Of the short stay tourers visiting the area, the most interesting appearance was that of a Belle Coaches' Tourismo which was last week employed on rail replacement at Lowestoft Station!

Other photos from the trip can also be viewed on the Eastnorfolkbus Flickr site

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 10th October 2018

For the second consecutive week, this morning's Notices & Proceedings Report, published by the Eastern of England Traffic Commissioner, contains no relevant alterations to the local bus network. The full report will be available soon on the Traffic Commissioner's website

Roy

Freestones' New Arrival

Omar Busboy Atiallah contacted me this morning, via messenger, to prove that he does escape the confines of the enquiry office at Norwich Bus Station now and then!

He has sent me this photo of Freestones new Scania coach at Norwich Bus Station which saw use on Megabus services during yesterday.

My thanks to Omar for the photo and information.

Roy

BorderBus Fifth Scania

As previously reported over on the excellent Steve's Bus & Train Page, BorderBus has acquired a fifth former Stagecoach London Scania. The OmniCity, LX59CNA, was used by the operator for fuel evaluation purposes in May last year.

It has subsequently been repainted from London red to all over white and Ashley saw it departing from St Stephen's Street in Norwich on the 146 back to Beccles and Southwold earlier today. My thanks to Ashleybus444 for his tweet and photo

Roy