The Big Bus Show

Yesterday saw the Big Bus Show staged at Stonham Barns near Stowmarket with more than 100 vehicles registered to attend. I planned to visit the event but a last minute family issue precluded that - but I know a man who did, fortunately! That person was Dan High, who provided many photos of the vehicles that made the trip there and, again, I had the difficult problem in deciding what to publish and what not to publish.



As expected the First Eastern Counties and First Essex fleets were well represented but I choose to publish a picture of ex Norwich Alexander Dennis Enviro 400MMC 34424 SN17 MTX to cover both operators. It is now with First Essex in their @essex airlink' livery. First Great Yarmouth heritage branded Volvo B9 37562 FJ08 FYN also made an appearance.



Other major operators were represented too including a Dew Coaches' trio. They were Volvo B7RLE BV73 MPO, Bedford YMQ JFT 412X and more recent arrival Volvo B8RLE/MCV eVoRa BL24 GYP.



Suffolk-based Beestons secured first prize for a company double decker with its Volvo B8L/MCV EvoSeti triaxle MUN 56N. It is shown operating the 210 service connecting Stowmarket Rail Station to the venue.



Mulleys Motorways exhibited three vehicles with Volvo B8R YX69 LCM and Switch Metrodecker YJ23 EKN both shown here. The third was Volvo B13R YY63 WCK.

Local preservationists also proudly displayed their vehicles including at least three from the Eastern Counties Bus Preservation Group. These were ex -Great Yarmouth Corporation AEC Swift WEX685M, Eastern Counties Scania S574TPW in First Blue Bus livery and Eastern Counties Mercedes-Benz 609D / Frank Guy N619 GAH



Suffolk-based J&M Preservations had three of their buses on show including former Abellio London Alexander Dennis Dart KP02 PVU and ex London United Volvo B7TL GIG 9134. Despite issues with their Optare Solo MX06 ABO, it also made it to the event.



Our final photo shows preserved Whippet Coaches Scania L94UB / Wright Solar AF52 VMD, new to them in September 2002

Other Norfolk operators attending were Sanders Coaches, Jubilee Coaches and Wrights Coaches

My special thanks to Dan High for supplying all the photos and to the Eastern Counties Bus Preservation Group who were hosting the event.

I can also recommend Graham Sleath's YouTube video of the event which can be viewed by clicking on the link: The Big Bus Show 2024 Stonham Barns Suffolk (youtube.com)

Roy