Due to another hospital stay, this weeks’s Friday Flashback has been held over until next week. My apologies for this
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| 69043 pictured in Gorleston High Street on 28th April heading for the James Paget Hospital |
Today saw the launch event for First Eastern Counties new Coastal Clipper Cabriolet fleet that will operate during the spring /summer period beginning tomorrow (Sunday 16th May).
I was kindly invited along by Chris Speed to have a ride along the seafront and take a few photos of course!
32905 CRZ166 was on static display with Timetables available for the public to collect and have a look around also.
The weather was a little unkind for open top travel but many members of the public enjoyed a brisk drive up and down the front despite the conditions.
Full services begin tomorrow with trips to and from Hemsby also included on the timetable.
Grahame.
Today sees the return of Friday Flashback following last week's absence and this time we look back to December 2009. We begin in Great Yarmouth and then move on to Lincoln before ending up at Sheringham.
Observed parked up on Great Yarmouth seafront this afternoon was National Express Scania K410EB6/ Caetano Levante BV69 KTC
My thanks to Alex Andru for the information and consent to use his photo
Roy
A New look for Great Yarmouth & Lowestoft's fleets was revealed today with Wright Streetlite 47504 SN64CPY appearing in the new 'Coastal Reds' livery being introduced for the towns. It mirrors the current Ipswich Reds livery and will be introduced to all non branded vehicles over the coming months.
The finished vehicle prior to being returned to Caister Road
Grahame.
The last of the newly branded Coastal Clippers has entered service this week with 37576 AU58EDC being the final vehicle to gain the allover Blue livery. It is one of two based at Lowestoft for use on the 99 services between Lowestoft, Kessingland and Southwold. 37575 AU58ECZ being the other.
It is pictured this morning in Lowestoft heading out to Kessingland complete with Giraffe on the rear!
Grahame.
We reported the recent 'swap' deal involving Ipswich and Colchester Depots a couple of weeks ago which saw ex Potteries ALX400 31785 YN53EOK move to Essex as it was slightly taller than the native Ipswich vehicles of the same type meaning it was unable to use the Fuel road at the depot. It was replaced by former FEC vehicle 32476 AU53HJK which had passed to Essex.
Mark Doggett caught 32476 out and about in Ipswich yesterday now wearing Ipswich Reds fleetnames en route to Stowmarket.
Many Thanks to Mark for the Photo.
Grahame.
First Eastern Counties have announced the details of their Coastal Clipper Cabriolet operations this week with services beginning on Sunday May 16th, A preview day is booked for Saturday 15th on Great Yarmouth Seafront.
Locals and holidaymakers are in for a real treat as they can take in all the sights along the way as the service snakes its way along the coastline visiting key attractions and resorts on the east coast. With buses running daily up to every 20 mins along Great Yarmouth’s Golden Mile and a contactless payment facility to pay for your journey, it couldn’t be easier for people to experience a fun ride on an open top bus.
The ‘Clipper Cabriolet’ is easily identified with its sleek and modern livery with open air seating on the top deck. This is also the first time that both the town and the wider east coast tourist area will have a regular service that uses more than one open topper bus.
There are some great value fares available too, with unlimited all day travel for a group of up to 5 people (maximum 2 adults aged 20+) costing as little as £5 between Seashore Holiday Park and the Pleasure Beach and just £10.50 for travel on the ‘Clipper Cabriolet’ as well as all other First Eastern Counties buses anywhere along the east coast.
Chris Speed, Head of Operations at First Eastern Counties said: “We are very excited and really looking forward to our ‘Clipper Cabriolet’ service starting on 16th May. With both Great Yarmouth town and other local resorts along the coast booking up with holidaymakers the service is expected to be a real attraction and a fantastic, fun addition to the holiday experience for many.
“For our local communities it will also provide a fun experience and convenient link to other locations along the coast where many people visit throughout the summer season”
Come and ride for free - on Saturday 15th May
To introduce our new buses, with favourable weather, we'll have all three buses will be on show on Great Yarmouth Sea Front on Saturday 15th May 1000 – 1500.
One bus will be parked on the paved area outside the front of the Britannia Pier – this will form the ‘hub’ of the event and will be equipped with information to promote the service.
Our other two buses will be providing complimentary round trips along the seafront, picking up at the bus stop outside Britannia Pier and travelling along the seafront as far as the Pleasure Beach before returning to the Britannia Pier. A collection for local charities will be undertaken by the Great Yarmouth Lions on board the buses.
Many Thanks to First and Good Luck!
Grahame