Church Road Diverts in Gorleston

With the closure of High Road in Gorleston for further gas works all buses were on diversion today for five days. Instead of using the High Street all buses are travelling along Beccles Road and Church Road to gain access to Gorleston.

BorderBus 580 service was also affected with Enviro200 BB14BUS stopping on Church Road

Whilst being an inconvenience for the public intending to use the shops and services in the High Street it has provided alternative locations for photography

The 1 from Lowestoft heads to Great Yarmouth via Church Road

The operator mostly affected was First with all services using the diversion route. The 1/1A continues onto Church Lane before gaining access to Lowestoft Road. Service 5 to Burgh Castle turns at the Church Lane roundabout before returning on Church Road and Beccles Road

A couple deckers pass the Kevill Arms on Church Road on their way to Great Yarmouth

Passing the same drinking establishment is Excel liveried 37578 AU58EDJ  on its way to Belton on the X11

Southbound services were stopping at St Andrews Church - MV02VBY on the 8 still retains its Norwich branding

National Holidays' Twosome

Two National Holidays' coaches were enjoying the lovely wet weather at Great Yarmouth's Beach Coach Station earlier this afternoon

Loving the rain were Kassbohrer Setra NH11FTH and Mercedes Benz Tourismo NH16NEH

Roy

Latest News From Caister Road

Latest from First's Caister Road depot is the fitting of a new engine into Lowestoft's ADL Enviro200 44532 SN62DBO as the accompanying photo illustrates

Recent road traffic accident victim, Norwich's Volvo B7 32106 LT02ZCV, has been brought here for the sourcing of parts with its gearbox already being donated to 30959 YJ51RCO to bring it back into service

Three deckers have transferred from First Lowestoft to First Great Yarmouth and they include Excel liveried 33823/4 YX63LKN/O. I am speculating that this may be due to the X1 between Lowestoft and Norwich being split at Market Gates in Great Yarmouth as a result of the Southtown traffic problems.

The other bus involves the return of ALX bodied Volvo B7TL 30948 YJ51RRV to Caister Road

My thanks to First for the information and photo

Roy

Unusual Routemaster Visitor

There was an unusual visitor to Great Yarmouth earlier today in the shape of a former London Transport double decker. Will Drake was on hand to record its presence in the Market Place and his photos are reproduced here

RML 2464 JJD464D was new to London Transport in April 1966 and was pressed into service at Finchley a month later. After spells at West Ham, Hornchurch and Stockwell it received a new Cummins engine in 1991.

Upon privatisation in late 1994 it worked for London United and was withdrawn in September 2004 being placed into store at Tolworth

RML 2464 was then sold to Ensignbus (dealers) from where it was acquired three months later by Master Exhibitions of London. They converted the RML into a mobile exhibition unit for the Royal Bank of Scotland complete with open top and awning. When seen today it was promoting Utility Warehouse

It's not the first occasion it has visited the town as I photographed it when it was promoting Nat West Bank further north in the Market Place during January 2014

My thanks to Will for the photographs. RML 2464's history was obtained from the excellent Ian's Bus Stop website

Roy

45th Grand Henham Steam Rally

Most of the recent posts on the blog have related to the various recent running days or events held in the local area involving many of the older preserved vehicles. Today's offering is no different!

With the help of 'Reg Vardy', I am able to provide photos of the small contingent of buses attending the 45th Grand Henham Steam Rally last weekend. The first picture shows two former Eastern Counties Eastern Coach Works bodied Bristols, RELL6G EPW516K and VR NAH135P, being flanked by ex Ipswich open top Atlantean MRT9P

Also present at Henham was the Sentinel DG4 Steam Bus from Bressingham Steam Museum. It was originally built at the Sentinel Waggon Works in Shrewsbury in 1932 as a flat back steam lorry.

My thanks to Reg for the photos

Roy

NNR 1940s Weekend

I know its almost two weeks now since the North Norfolk Railway held their 1940s Weekend but I thought I would share these great photos with you taken by Tony Wilson. The buses provided a shuttle service between Sheringham and Holt on the 14th/15th September.

The first shows Accrington Corporations's single deck Guy Arab No 10 831XUW at Bodham on the first day of the weekend.

The next features 1947 built Sunderland Corporation Transport No 13 GR9007, a Crossley DD42 pictured in the same location

The subject of the final Saturday Bodham photo is former Eastern Counties Bristol VR/ Eastern Coach Works VR385 OCK985K. It was new to Ribble in February 1972

On Sunday the location moved to Sheringham and the photo shows an Eastern Coach Works bodied Bristol LWL6B in the form of Thames Valley's GJB254 - new in 1952.

The final picture is of Northampton Corporation's Roe bodied Crossley DD42 VV9146. The location is also Sheringham on the Sunday.

My thanks to Tony Wilson for providing all the excellent photos

Roy

EATM ~ Trolleybus Weekend

Last weekend saw the East Anglia Transport Museum hold their annual Trolleybus Weekend and, as usual, buses were running to and from the event.

First was operating the Park and Ride service which was provided by First Norwich branded Wright StreetDeck SN65OMU

A surprise Saturday visitor was ECW bodied Brstol MW5G 3014AH. It was new to Eastern Counties in March 1959 and initially based at Wisbech. It is now owned by Patrick Burnside.

Noted at Gordon Road was the museum's Bristol ECW bodied Bristol FL6G 557BNG ready to leave for Carlton Colville. Behind is First's heritage liveried Dart 42926 SN05EAE.

Sunday saw the use of a Park Royal bodied Routemaster on services in the form of RM613 WLT613. New in December 1960 it is currently owned by the RM613 Preservation Group.

Meanwhile later at the museum site former Lowestoft vehicles were assembled together in the car park.

My thanks to Simon Bartram for supplying the photos covering the two days

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 25th September 2019

A couple of  changes of local interest appear in today's Notices and Proceedings Report published by the East of England Traffic Commissioner.

National Express is amending the timetable of its 481 Felixstowe to London Victoria service from 25th November 2019

Felixstowe Travel Limited has sought authorisation for eleven vehicles at its Beach Station site at  Walton Avenue in the town

The full report is available to view on the government website

Roy

Former Reynolds' Coach Returns

Whilst out early this morning Will Drake found this former Reynolds' coach had returned to its previous home town and observed it on North Drive.

Reynolds purchased the new Beulas Cygnus bodied Mercedes Benz Atego PN08CLZ during March 2008 and then sold it to Grosvenor Travel of Shaftesbury in Dorset in early 2012.

My thanks to Will for the photo

Roy

Heritage Weekend ~ Kings Lynn

Rather belatedly I bring you some photos of some of the buses operating in Kings Lynn last Sunday as part of the Heritage Weekend.

Former Eastern Counties ECW bodied Bristol VR VPW85S - now owned by the VR190 Preservation Group

The Eastern Transport Collection's OVF229, a  Bristol LD5G with an ECW body new in 1954

David Bell has sent the photos and apologises for not getting them to me earlier. However, I wouldn't have been able to have posted them earlier anyway as I have had a short hospital stay and, yes, I am much better thank you!

Former Bristol Omnibuses HHW452D, another Bristol/ECW product - this time a 45 seat MW

David tells me that the buses operated on a route which doesn't normally see buses i.e. via St Nicholas Church, Tuesday Market Place and Saturday Market Place passing the Town Hall and Trinity Guildhall.

Privately restored Towlers' EJD510 - a Duple bodied Bedford SB new to Essex County in 1951

As David says most of the vehicles will probably be familiar but not the ex-Southdown VR which is privately preserved by a gentleman based in Winchester.

UUF110J, another Bristol/VR is use with Southdown between April 1971 and January 1986

My thanks to David for the excellent photos

Roy

66328 Returns

I understand that First Wright Eclipse bodied Volvo B7 66328 has returned to Norwich from Great Yarmouth after a short loan.

66328 passes through Gorleston High Street on its way to Lowestoft on 11th September

Registered MV02VBC, it returned to the city on Friday. My thanks to First for the information.

Roy

New Yarmouth Arrivals out and about

Regular contributor Mark Doggett has been in the area this week and has caught both recent arrivals from First South Yorkshire in action for their new owners here in Norfolk.

37150 YN06URD is pictured heading through Caister On Sea working the 1 service through to Lowestoft.

37174 SF07FDE is seen above on the A47 at Hopton also heading to Lowestoft on the 1A.

Many Thanks to Mark for the excellent photos.

Grahame.

New Essex Heritage

The latest Repaint into a Heritage livery for First Essex has arrived back at Hadleigh Depot and depicts the eye catching livery of Thamesway operations when aquired by First group.

69520 BJ11ECW is a Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse and was previously in an allover Black livery for Park and Ride services.

Former Thamesway Dennis Dart M923TEV is pictured above in the original livery, eagle eyed readers will notice this vehicle was of course later to work here in Yarmouth in Blue Bus livery before gaining 2 versions of corporate Barbie livery during its stay with FEC.

Many thanks to Steven Quy for use of his photo.

Grahame.

Service Alterations Registered ~ 18th September 2019

First Eastern Counties has registered some changes to their Great Yarmouth bus network in this week’s Notices and Proceedings Report published by the East of England Transport Commissioner.

Many of the changes are due to the splitting of some of the routes due to roadworks in the Southtown Road area commencing next week
* 1/1A/1B Martham and Lowestoft Bus Station
* 5 Market Gates to Burgh Castle
* 6/6B/7 Market Gates to Bradwell and Belton
* 8 Caister to James Paget Hospital
* 9 Market Gates to James Paget Hospital
* X1 Market Gates to Lowestoft Bus Station
* X11/7 Market Gates to Belton
All are affected by amendments to route, timetable and stopping places which are to take effect from 22nd September 2019.

PF Travel of Woodbridge is cancelling its 71 Snape Road, Sudbourne to Ipswich Old Cattle Market and its 62, between Blaxhall and Woodbridge Turban Centre/ Saxmundham Church, services from 3rd November 2019.

Michael David and Anita Joy Dabbs has been given approval to increase the authorisation of the number of vehicles at their Beach Station Depot operating centre at Walton Avenue in Felixstowe to eleven

The full report will soon be available to view on the government website

Roy

Latest Caister Road Update

Following its Sunday arrival at Caister Road Gemini 37150 YN06URD was already prepared and ready for service during yesterday afternoon.

37150 awaiting its first call to duty and below its interior

The recent local influx of newer vehicles has led to the retirement of some of the older members of the fleet.

Scania L94UB/ Wright Axcess- Floline 65673 SN51UYG and Wright Eclipse bodied Volvo B7 66334 MV02VBZ have been withdrawn

Also withdrawn are Alexander ALX400 bodied Volvo B7TLs 30959 YJ51RCO and 30886 W741DWX - the latter from the reserve fleet.

Finally another ALX400, 30960 YJ51RDU, is in the workshops having its MOT carried out

My thanks to First Great Yarmouth for the information and photos

Roy

New Arrivals at Caister Road

Two more Volvo/Wright Geminis have arrived at Great Yarmouth over the weekend.

Photo: Roger Bellward

37150 YN06URD and 37174 SF07FDE were collected from First South Yorkshire's Doncaster Depot.

37150 was new to South Yorkshire whilst 37174 started out with First Glasgow.

Both are undergoing inspections prior to entering service.

Grahame.

Lowestoft Heritage Open Day

On Saturday, as part of the Lowestoft Heritage Open Day event former Lowestoft buses were active in the town as Simon Bartram's photos show.

My thanks to Simon for the photos.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 11th September 2019

A number of entries to record from this week’s Notices and Proceedings Report published by the East of England Transport Commissioner.

Sanders Coaches are making a number of changes to their services including the registration of a new 308 service between Melton Road, Hindolveston and Fakenham Field Lane. It runs on school days only and commenced on 1st September 2019. The operator's 309 route from Stibbard Crossroads to Fakenham Sixth Form will also be amended (in addition to its timetable) from 30th September 2019

Sanders has also altered the route and timetable of the 202 Salthouse to Wells-next-the-Sea High School, the 204 Holt to to Wells-next-the-Sea High School,  the 88 North Walsham to Aylsham High School and the 56 between Holt and Easton College. All changes took effect from 31st August 2019.

Sanders is cancelling the operation of two routes in September. On the 1st it ceased providing the 206 Dersingham - to Wells-next-the-Sea service; to be followed at the end of the month by the 58 route between Holt and Fakenham.

Coastal Red is to amend the timetable of the 36 Hunstanton to Wells-next-the-Sea and Fakenham to Wells-next-the-Sea services from 21st October 2019

The full report will soon be available to view on the government website

Roy

Beach Coach Station Sunday

There were some vehicles of interest at Beach Coach Station in Great Yarmouth shortly after lunch time yesterday.

My immediate attention was drawn to two vehicles of the Richmond’s Coaches of Barley in Hertfordshire fleet. The double deck example was 648EAU, a Van Hool TX27 Astromega new in May 2017. Alongside was Van Hool TX 892LTV

National Holidays had a presence in the form of  Mercedes Benz Tourismo NH15JCH

Finally, just as I was leaving, Dolphin Travel's Bova M50APL turned up and I quickly got a photo before it emptied!

Roy

Wrights Coaches Vehicle for Sale

A few days ago Wrights Coaches announced on Twitter that it had placed one of its vehicles up for sale. Dating from 2006 the Mercedes Benz 22 seat minicoach has been advertised for sale on ebay

The minicoach, registered W25PTS, is pictured here at Norwich Bus Station in August last year. For those interested further information can be found here

Roy

Beach Coach Station Today

Robert Kelly looked in at Great Yarmouth's Beach Coach Station earlier today and caught the following coaches on camera

The first is of Indcar bodied MAN1023LY D17WXZ from Landmark Coaches of Arlesley.

Next is YN59BKD a Plaxton bodied Volvo B12B owned by Bill's Coach Hire. It was previously with Minsterly Motors of Shrewsbury

The third is locally based Peelings Coaches Plaxton Paragon bodied Volvo B12M JJZ9130.

Making up the foursome is Alfa Tours 111 BV19YFF, a Mercedes Benz Tourismo

The final picture is of Acklams of Beverley's YN13GXO. A Volvo B9R with Plaxton Panther coachwork it was new to Logan of Dunloy in 2013.

My thanks to Robert for the information and photos

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 4th September 2019

A couple of items to note from this week’s Notices and Proceedings Report published by the East of England Transport Commissioner.

National Express is to amend the timetable of its 490/491 service between Lowestoft Bus Station and London Victoria Coach Station from 28th October 2019

Suffolk Norse is to cancel its 108 service from Lowestoft Bus Station to Gorleston's James Paget Hospital from 1st November 2019

The full report will soon be available to view on the government website

Roy

Former Anglian Disposals

Two former Anglianbus East Lancs Lolyne bodied Dennis Tridents were among those buses making their final journey from the Ensign dealership in Purfleet to Shelton Motors of Cambridgeshire for scrapping during August.

Anglianbus Trident W822NNJ on Gordon Road in Lowestoft in January 2015 on a Beccles service

The pair were W822NNJ amd W825NNJ which were new to Brighton & Hove in March 2000 and also subsequently operated by Konectbus.

My thanks to Ross Newman at Ensign for the information

Roy

Departures From Caister Road

This weekend saw three residents leave Great Yarmouth bound for pasures new in Essex.

32629 KP54KAX is the single Volvo/Gemini to leave along with Volvo B7TL/ALX400's 30954 YJ51RDO and 32064 W224XBD.

30954 Pictured at Caister Road in February this year.

32064 Pictured whilst having a Sunday rest back in June.

Former FEC Volvo B7TL/ALX400  32480/32481 are returning to Ipswich from their spell in Essex also.

Norwich based Volvo 66824 was noted at Caister Road this morning, no confirmation of its reason as yet.

Thanks to First for the information.

Grahame.