It was Alexander ALX400 bodied Volvo B7TL X663 VRL which was acquired from Devon-based Country Bus in August last year. It was new to Dublin Bus as their AV115 00-D-70115 in November 2000.
My thanks to Dan High for the photos.
Roy
Roy
Friday 26 July 2024
Another Simonds' Surprise
Further to Wednesday's post regarding the use of an unexpected vehicle on Simonds' Diss to Norwich 2 service (Simonds' Surprise - 24th July 2024); another of their double-deckers normally used on school contract work was also on the route this morning.
It was Alexander ALX400 bodied Volvo B7TL X663 VRL which was acquired from Devon-based Country Bus in August last year. It was new to Dublin Bus as their AV115 00-D-70115 in November 2000.
It was Alexander ALX400 bodied Volvo B7TL X663 VRL which was acquired from Devon-based Country Bus in August last year. It was new to Dublin Bus as their AV115 00-D-70115 in November 2000.
Thursday 25 July 2024
Duo On North Drive
Since last Sunday (21st July), I've driven along North Drive in Great Yarmouth several times and noticed two coaches parked in the overflow car park of the Burlington/Palm Court Hotel, but never managed to stop and take photos of them.
To my surprise, they were still there earlier this afternoon, so I took the opportunity to photograph them. The first was Bakers Dolphin Mercedes-Benz Tourismo, registration BV19 YMC.
On the opposite side of the site was a VDL Futura 274 FYP from Woods Travels of Bognor Regis. It was originally registered as WA64 CVV when new to Moseley of Wellington in November 2014.
Roy
To my surprise, they were still there earlier this afternoon, so I took the opportunity to photograph them. The first was Bakers Dolphin Mercedes-Benz Tourismo, registration BV19 YMC.
On the opposite side of the site was a VDL Futura 274 FYP from Woods Travels of Bognor Regis. It was originally registered as WA64 CVV when new to Moseley of Wellington in November 2014.
Roy
Ex AnglianBus At Ensign
Mark Doggett, a frequent visitor to Ensign, was once again at their Purfleet premises today to see representatives from Merlin Travel collect their newly acquired vehicles. Contrary to the earlier report, the vehicles were not the anticipated three blue Volvo B7TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini buses but rather four former London Scanias! It seems the blue Geminis are destined for Barway Services of Ely.
Additionally, while he was there, he spotted a former AnglianBus Wright StreetLite, identified as McGill's MX60 BWJ, in the yard. This vehicle, which originated with the Beccles-based operator in November 2010, was photographed making its way into Great Yarmouth's Market Place from The Conge on the 24th of May, 2011.
Additionally, while he was there, he spotted a former AnglianBus Wright StreetLite, identified as McGill's MX60 BWJ, in the yard. This vehicle, which originated with the Beccles-based operator in November 2010, was photographed making its way into Great Yarmouth's Market Place from The Conge on the 24th of May, 2011.
My thanks to Mark for the information and the McGill's photo.
Roy
First Norwich Blue Line Deckers
With more First Norwich Blue Line Volvo B9s expected to head to the south west fairly soon, Dan High sends photos of three of them operating in the city today
Here's 36176 BD11 CGE on a diverted Turquoise Line service 13 on Castle Meadow.
Next is 36177 BD11 CGF heading for Wymondham on a Green Line 14 service
Lastly its 36179 BD11 CDY on the Yellow Line 28 route to Thorpe Marriott.
My thanks to Dan for the pictures.
Roy
Here's 36176 BD11 CGE on a diverted Turquoise Line service 13 on Castle Meadow.
Next is 36177 BD11 CGF heading for Wymondham on a Green Line 14 service
Lastly its 36179 BD11 CDY on the Yellow Line 28 route to Thorpe Marriott.
My thanks to Dan for the pictures.
Roy
Wednesday 24 July 2024
Simonds' Surprise
Today, an unexpected vehicle was operating on Simonds' Diss to Norwich 2 service; a double-decker usually reserved for school contract work.
Regular contributor Dan High has shared photos of the East Lancs-bodied VDL DB250 YJ56 KCK when seen in the city. Simonds took ownership of the vehicle from Lodge of High Easter in Essex in August of last year and it retains their livery. It first entered service with Courtney of Bracknell in November 2006.
My thanks to Dan for his contribution and photographs.
Roy
Regular contributor Dan High has shared photos of the East Lancs-bodied VDL DB250 YJ56 KCK when seen in the city. Simonds took ownership of the vehicle from Lodge of High Easter in Essex in August of last year and it retains their livery. It first entered service with Courtney of Bracknell in November 2006.
My thanks to Dan for his contribution and photographs.
Roy
Four At The Beach
During yesterday afternoon four coaches were parked at Great Yarmouth's Beach Coach Station.
The first one noted was a Mercedes-Benz Tourismo PT18 AVA from Leyland-based AVA Coach.COM.
Adjacent to it was Caradoc Coaches' YD18 WXP, a VDL, bearing legal lettering for Lakeside Coaches of Ellesmere in Shropshire.
The last photograph captured two Alfa Travel Mercedes-Benz Tourismos, BV20 HNE and BV22 WTO, both frequent visitors to the town. Another fleet member, BV20 HNJ, was stationed outside the New Beach Hotel on Marine Parade.
Roy
The first one noted was a Mercedes-Benz Tourismo PT18 AVA from Leyland-based AVA Coach.COM.
Adjacent to it was Caradoc Coaches' YD18 WXP, a VDL, bearing legal lettering for Lakeside Coaches of Ellesmere in Shropshire.
The last photograph captured two Alfa Travel Mercedes-Benz Tourismos, BV20 HNE and BV22 WTO, both frequent visitors to the town. Another fleet member, BV20 HNJ, was stationed outside the New Beach Hotel on Marine Parade.
Roy
Service Alterations Registered ~ 24th July 2024
A couple of items of 'local' interest appear in today's East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report.
BorderBus Limited is introducing a new LAT1 hourly bus service from Halesworth Rail Station to the Latitude Festival site from the 23rd to the 29th July 2024.
Vertas (Ipswich) Limited has received approval to use a site at Commercial Road in Lowestoft as an operating centre for 20 vehicles
The full Notices and Proceedings Report will be available to view here soon.
Roy
BorderBus Limited is introducing a new LAT1 hourly bus service from Halesworth Rail Station to the Latitude Festival site from the 23rd to the 29th July 2024.
Vertas (Ipswich) Limited has received approval to use a site at Commercial Road in Lowestoft as an operating centre for 20 vehicles
The full Notices and Proceedings Report will be available to view here soon.
Roy
Tuesday 23 July 2024
Another Acquisition
Our friends at J&M Preservations have acquired another vehicle and for the first time it’s a double decker. Volvo B7TL GIG 9134 was collected from Sleaford earlier today and is now safely located at the group's Suffolk premises.
We earlier reported its previous identity which was incorrect and that's not surprising as the plate was used on a number of other vehicles including an Olympian. Mason Lee from the group says that it still carries fleet number VP108 inside the cab which identifies it as W452 BCW. It was new to London United in May 2005.
The group is also preparing its vehicles to attend the forthcoming Big Bus Show 2024 on Sunday the 11th August. It is providing a FREE bus service from Lowestoft's Gordon Road Bus Station to and from the event. If anyone would like to use the service please be there for 07.30 as departure will be at 07.40. The return journey will leave at 16:20
Vehicles employed on these runs include Dennis Dart SLF KP02 PVU, Optare Solo MX06 ABO, a Bristol LH and a Routemaster.
My thanks to Mason Lee for the information and photos.
Roy
More Geminis Head For Cornwall
At least two Wright Eclipse Gemini-bodied Volvo B9TLs are departing Norwich for Cornwall tonight, according to Dan High.
They include Blue Line 36168 BD11 CFN and Turquoise Line 36171 BD11 CFU. (Update: it’s still in Norwich !!) My thanks go to Dan for the report and photos.
Roy
They include Blue Line 36168 BD11 CFN and Turquoise Line 36171 BD11 CFU. (Update: it’s still in Norwich !!) My thanks go to Dan for the report and photos.
Roy
Ensign Latest Update
Mark Doggett made his latest visit to dealers Ensign earlier today and observed ten former First Eastern Counties buses present.
The buses, identified as 32203*, 32651, 35201, 37024*/5*/6, 37043/4, and 37150*/4*, include at least five ex-First Great Yarmouth vehicles, as indicated by an asterisk (*).
Three Volvo B7TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini buses, numbers 37024/43 and 37150, have been painted blue and sold to Merlin Travel of Dunfermline, Scotland. They will be collected in the coming days.
Update:
The buses, identified as 32203*, 32651, 35201, 37024*/5*/6, 37043/4, and 37150*/4*, include at least five ex-First Great Yarmouth vehicles, as indicated by an asterisk (*).
Three Volvo B7TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini buses, numbers 37024/43 and 37150, have been painted blue and sold to Merlin Travel of Dunfermline, Scotland. They will be collected in the coming days.
Update:
Mark saw the guys from Merlin Travel at Ensign on Thursday (25th July) who picked up three Scanias instead!! On checking his information he found the blue Geminis are really due for Barway Services of Ely.
My special thanks to Mark for providing the updated information and photos.
Roy
Roy
Simonds Sunday
Last Sunday (21st July), coach operator Simonds provided transport from Dunwich on the Suffolk coast to London (Millwall), offering cyclists a return journey to the capital.
The vehicles selected for this trip were Volvo B12 538 ELX, plus Mercedes-Benz Tourismos BF65 HVP and BN17 JJY, which are shown in the photo at the Simonds depot before departure.
My special thanks to Peter Oakes for the information and the photograph.
Roy
The vehicles selected for this trip were Volvo B12 538 ELX, plus Mercedes-Benz Tourismos BF65 HVP and BN17 JJY, which are shown in the photo at the Simonds depot before departure.
My special thanks to Peter Oakes for the information and the photograph.
Roy
Monday 22 July 2024
Wherry Service Starts
Today marked the inaugural day of the seasonal Wherry 100 bus service in Great Yarmouth, operated by Our Bus. The vehicle used was Optare Solo M920 YJ62 FZV, which is seen here on last year's services.
Photo courtesy of Tim Miller
Roy
Photo courtesy of Tim Miller
Roy
City Clipper
The Norwich City Clipper began on Saturday with former First Great Yarmouth Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TL 32348 LK53 LZL on the new 100 service.
Dan High captured some images of it in action at Castle Meadow this morning. The service runs daily until 31st August.
For the first time on the blog I have also used the video feature showing the service operating. Just click on the playback button to do so and you can also view the video full screen if required. My thanks to Dan for the pictures and the video.
Roy
Dan High captured some images of it in action at Castle Meadow this morning. The service runs daily until 31st August.
For the first time on the blog I have also used the video feature showing the service operating. Just click on the playback button to do so and you can also view the video full screen if required. My thanks to Dan for the pictures and the video.
Roy
Changes To Our X Account
Unfortunately, we've encountered issues accessing our current X (Twitter) account, so we've set up a new site at https://x.com/eastnorfolkbus1. Our previous site's content remains accessible. We ask for your patience as we update the new site to serve you better.
Sunday 21 July 2024
Unusual Visitor
Earlier today at Great Yarmouth's Beach Coach Station, there was an unusual sighting: an ADL Enviro400 MMC from Leytonstone's Goldline fleet. The bus, registered YY24 GZL, was added to the London-based operator's fleet only last month.
Our thanks to Taylor Jack for providing the information and photograph.
Roy
Our thanks to Taylor Jack for providing the information and photograph.
Roy
Saturday 20 July 2024
Wherry 100 Service Returns
Martin Halliday of the Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnership has communicated that the group is sponsoring this year's seasonal Our Bus 100 service.
From 22nd July to 31st August, the service will operate on a timetable similar to the previous year, starting from Vauxhall Park, then to the Rail Station, Seafront, Britannia Pier, and returning via St Nicholas Road to Vauxhall Park.
From 22nd July to 31st August, the service will operate on a timetable similar to the previous year, starting from Vauxhall Park, then to the Rail Station, Seafront, Britannia Pier, and returning via St Nicholas Road to Vauxhall Park.
The partnership emphasises its commitment to improving connectivity, noting the considerable distance from Great Yarmouth station to the seafront and town centre. It recognizes that families with luggage and day-trippers may find a taxi too expensive or the walk too lengthy. Despite last August's inclement weather, the service transported nearly 10,000 passengers.
My thanks to Martin for the information and to Steve Hewett of the East Norfolk Transport Users Association for successfully campaigning for the service.
Roy
My thanks to Martin for the information and to Steve Hewett of the East Norfolk Transport Users Association for successfully campaigning for the service.
Roy
Friday 19 July 2024
Friday Miscellany
Today's post offers a variety of locations where photos were taken - starting in Great Yarmouth, moving on to Norwich and ending up in Cromer.
The initial location is Great Yarmouth's Beach Coach Station where three vehicles were parked up earlier today, having previously observed another three returning home on the A47. A Crusader Holidays' (Motts Coaches) branded Mercedes-Benz Tourismo UK19 CRU was the first observed.
Nearby was Maynes Coaches' Tourismo T80 GSM which had travelled all the way from Buckie in Scotland
The last was Wigan-based Grayway Holidays' Van Hool TX15 Alicron YT16 EHE on hire to Alfa Holidays.
We now move on to to Norwich where our regular reporter Dan High was photographing loaned Ipswich Reds StreetDecks working trips between Costessey Park & Ride and the University of East Anglia for its graduations. Dan's photo shows First Eastern Counties 35910 BN72 TVA
Meanwhile, I had travelled up to Cromer where I captured Sanders Coaches' MCV eVoRa bodied Volvo B8RLE 525 BV22 HBO heading west on Runton Road on a Coasthopper service.
My thanks to Dan for his photo
Roy
The initial location is Great Yarmouth's Beach Coach Station where three vehicles were parked up earlier today, having previously observed another three returning home on the A47. A Crusader Holidays' (Motts Coaches) branded Mercedes-Benz Tourismo UK19 CRU was the first observed.
Nearby was Maynes Coaches' Tourismo T80 GSM which had travelled all the way from Buckie in Scotland
The last was Wigan-based Grayway Holidays' Van Hool TX15 Alicron YT16 EHE on hire to Alfa Holidays.
We now move on to to Norwich where our regular reporter Dan High was photographing loaned Ipswich Reds StreetDecks working trips between Costessey Park & Ride and the University of East Anglia for its graduations. Dan's photo shows First Eastern Counties 35910 BN72 TVA
Meanwhile, I had travelled up to Cromer where I captured Sanders Coaches' MCV eVoRa bodied Volvo B8RLE 525 BV22 HBO heading west on Runton Road on a Coasthopper service.
My thanks to Dan for his photo
Roy
Wednesday 17 July 2024
Service Alterations Registered ~ 17th July 2024
There are some alterations to local services provided by BorderBus and Sanders Coaches in today's East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report.
BorderBus is amending the timetables of its LAT2 route between Halesworth Rail Station and the Latitude Festival in Henham and its LAT4 Kessingland to Latitude service from 26th July 2024.
Sanders Coaches is altering the timetables of the following services from the 1st September 2024:-
* 46 Bus Shelter, Market Place, Holt to Fakenham.
* 201 Wicken Green - Blenheim Park School to Wells-next-the-Sea Primary School.
* 202 Salthouse Post Office to Wells High School.
The full Notices and Proceedings Report will be available to be view here soon.
Roy
BorderBus is amending the timetables of its LAT2 route between Halesworth Rail Station and the Latitude Festival in Henham and its LAT4 Kessingland to Latitude service from 26th July 2024.
Sanders Coaches is altering the timetables of the following services from the 1st September 2024:-
* 46 Bus Shelter, Market Place, Holt to Fakenham.
* 201 Wicken Green - Blenheim Park School to Wells-next-the-Sea Primary School.
* 202 Salthouse Post Office to Wells High School.
The full Notices and Proceedings Report will be available to be view here soon.
Roy
Tuesday 16 July 2024
Sanders Solar Moves On
Stowmarket-based Dan's Coach Travel has announced on Facebook that it has acquired a vehicle from Sanders Coaches.
The vehicle concerned is Wright Solar bodied Scania L94UB YN05 GXX, numbered 316 in the fleet. It has been with Sanders since June 2013 and was new to Reading Buses eight years earlier,
Roy
The vehicle concerned is Wright Solar bodied Scania L94UB YN05 GXX, numbered 316 in the fleet. It has been with Sanders since June 2013 and was new to Reading Buses eight years earlier,
Roy
Monday 15 July 2024
EATM British Bus Fleets Event
My apologies for the delay in posting the report on the East Anglia Transport Museum's British Bus Fleets Event. Half way through editing photos, my PC stubbornly refused to proceed any further until it updated its operating system, which took blooming ages! Other commitments meant I couldn't do any work on the post until this evening. So here goes.
Fortunately the rain held off and I travelled to the park and ride site late morning to be ferried to the museum by former First Glasgow (now First Eastern Counties) 37532 MXZ 3342 seen dropping off passengers opposite the entrance.
Regular return trips from the museum were carried out by the museum's resident vehicles with former Great Yarmouth AEC Swift WEX 685M and ex Eastern National Bristol KSW5G open top WNO 479 joining in. Lowestoft Corporation AEC Regent V 918 NRT was placed on the naughty step on the Sunday with fuel issues so didn't take part.
A number of vehicles were lined up on Chapel Road including BorderBus Scania OmniCity 212 BB61 BUS, First Great Yarmouth Pride Volvo B9 36202 BN12 WOC and Belle Coaches' Mercedes-Benz Tourismo BF62 JZR.
Opposite the main Trolleybus depot were parked three vehicle with the first being Ipswich Transport Museum's preserved AEC Regent V ADX 63B, number 63 in the Ipswich Corporation Transport fleet.
Next to it was former Eastern National Bristol FLF6G Lodekka/Eastern Coach Works NTW 924C. Now preserved at the Canvey Island Transport Museum.
The third of the trio, I thought, was the star of the show. It was Lodge's Coaches' Bedford VAL70/ Duple Viceroy TFV 475J.
The Fylde Transport Trust’s Blackpool Brush Railcoach Terror Tram 634 was doing a fine trade and is seen here passing the Trolleybus depot
After trips on many vehicles, including the extended East Suffolk Light Railway, it was getting fairly dark and overcast so I decided to leave as the weather looked threatening and I was without a coat! Whilst I was waiting for the return bus to the Park & Ride site, Great Yarmouth Corporation's AEC Reliance AEX 85B departed the museum on a trip to Beccles.
Roy
Fortunately the rain held off and I travelled to the park and ride site late morning to be ferried to the museum by former First Glasgow (now First Eastern Counties) 37532 MXZ 3342 seen dropping off passengers opposite the entrance.
Regular return trips from the museum were carried out by the museum's resident vehicles with former Great Yarmouth AEC Swift WEX 685M and ex Eastern National Bristol KSW5G open top WNO 479 joining in. Lowestoft Corporation AEC Regent V 918 NRT was placed on the naughty step on the Sunday with fuel issues so didn't take part.
A number of vehicles were lined up on Chapel Road including BorderBus Scania OmniCity 212 BB61 BUS, First Great Yarmouth Pride Volvo B9 36202 BN12 WOC and Belle Coaches' Mercedes-Benz Tourismo BF62 JZR.
Opposite the main Trolleybus depot were parked three vehicle with the first being Ipswich Transport Museum's preserved AEC Regent V ADX 63B, number 63 in the Ipswich Corporation Transport fleet.
Next to it was former Eastern National Bristol FLF6G Lodekka/Eastern Coach Works NTW 924C. Now preserved at the Canvey Island Transport Museum.
The third of the trio, I thought, was the star of the show. It was Lodge's Coaches' Bedford VAL70/ Duple Viceroy TFV 475J.
The Fylde Transport Trust’s Blackpool Brush Railcoach Terror Tram 634 was doing a fine trade and is seen here passing the Trolleybus depot
After trips on many vehicles, including the extended East Suffolk Light Railway, it was getting fairly dark and overcast so I decided to leave as the weather looked threatening and I was without a coat! Whilst I was waiting for the return bus to the Park & Ride site, Great Yarmouth Corporation's AEC Reliance AEX 85B departed the museum on a trip to Beccles.
Roy
Friday 12 July 2024
City Clipper Livery Revealed
The Norwich City Clipper livery was on display at Great Yarmouth's Caister Road depot earlier today.
Zak Nelson has supplied the photos of freshly vinyled Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TL 32348 LK53 LZL for the new 100 service from 20th July to 31st August 2024
Zak Nelson has supplied the photos of freshly vinyled Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TL 32348 LK53 LZL for the new 100 service from 20th July to 31st August 2024
My thanks to Zak and to Grahame for forwarding the photos.
Roy
Roy
Lynx Enviro200MMC First Day
Whilst reporting on Paul Copley's observations on 26th June concerning the arrival of two new Enviro200MMCs at Lynx (YY24 ELC/J), I was told a third was on its way down the A17 road in the shape of YY24 EKZ.
David Bell contacts us to say that the first named, YY24 ELC, was photographed on its first day in service yesterday. It worked the 1345 to Hunstanton and the 1450 back to Kings Lynn.
His first photo shows it 'leaving the depot on a dreary gloomy day heading to the bus station to take up service and then photographs at Hunstanton bus station'.
They include one of Lynx's 'idiosyncratic rear views in this case featuring the lavender fields at Heacham' he says.
My thanks to David for the report which included news that another due to arrive is YY24 ELH
Roy
David Bell contacts us to say that the first named, YY24 ELC, was photographed on its first day in service yesterday. It worked the 1345 to Hunstanton and the 1450 back to Kings Lynn.
His first photo shows it 'leaving the depot on a dreary gloomy day heading to the bus station to take up service and then photographs at Hunstanton bus station'.
They include one of Lynx's 'idiosyncratic rear views in this case featuring the lavender fields at Heacham' he says.
My thanks to David for the report which included news that another due to arrive is YY24 ELH
Roy
Thursday 11 July 2024
New eVoRa Enters Service
Paul McNamara reports that Sanders Coaches new MCV eVoRa bodied Volvo B8 BP24 GWW entered its first day in service on Monday last (8th July)
He photographed number 540 on that day on St Stephen's Street in Norwich working the 43 route to Reepham.
Thanks for the report and photo Paul
Roy
He photographed number 540 on that day on St Stephen's Street in Norwich working the 43 route to Reepham.
Thanks for the report and photo Paul
Roy
Wednesday 10 July 2024
Norwich Activity
Dan High was observing bus activity on Norwich's Castle Meadow earlier today when he took these photos.
The first shows former First Leeds Wright StreetDeck 35286 SL67 VXP in the new corporate livery working a First Norwich Purple Line 38 service to the UCTN on Old Hall Road.
The second features similar StreetDeck 35282 SL67 VXS still in its Leeds City Green livery on its way to Fakenham on the X29 Yellow Line.
Meanwhile, Yellow Line branded Volvo B9 36265 BG12 YJX was on the Pink Line 11 route to Hethersett.
I am grateful to Dan for the photos.
The first shows former First Leeds Wright StreetDeck 35286 SL67 VXP in the new corporate livery working a First Norwich Purple Line 38 service to the UCTN on Old Hall Road.
The second features similar StreetDeck 35282 SL67 VXS still in its Leeds City Green livery on its way to Fakenham on the X29 Yellow Line.
Meanwhile, Yellow Line branded Volvo B9 36265 BG12 YJX was on the Pink Line 11 route to Hethersett.
I am grateful to Dan for the photos.
Roy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)