Sanders' Saloons

In our last post of 2024 we look at Sanders Coaches former Go South Coast (Morebus) Volvo B7RLEs. A total of twelve of them joined the North Norfolk fleet during April and May of 2018.

Sanders seem to be entering the twilight of these saloons with both 504 HF54 HFP and 512 HF54 HHE (pictured last month in Great Yarmouth) retiring from service during December. This means the operator is now down to the last five of the original dozen:-
505 HF54 HHA     506 HF54 HHB     507 HF54 HGJ    511 HF54 HHM     513 HF54 HGA

My thanks to Liam for his help with this update.

Roy

New Years Eve in Norwich

I took my annual trip up to Norwich for a photo catch up this morning. I decided to get the bus in from Acle where i experienced my first trip on a Red line Volvo B9TL on the X1! My camera decided to play up a bit later on so here is a selection of what i did manage along the way!

 

This is my first shot of a vehicle with the new Firstbus branding applied, 35180 SK16GUX was on the 28 service today and seen here in Castle Meadow.

Another first for me is 37772 YJ09OBT still wearing its First Bradford livery, pictured in St Stephens on the 37.

Next up is SN56AGV a Volvo B7TL with Simonds (Central Connect), this was new to Lothian Buses in Scotland and then had a spell with Xelabus, Eastleigh.

Konectbus have three ex London Optare Olympus bodied Dennis Tridents in use at the moment, 651 LX58CXB was operating the Postwick Park & Ride service and is seen here in Norwich Bus Station.

Currently on loan to Konectbus is former Thames Travel Gemini LX06EAC, new to Go Ahead London as WVL242, now numbered 529 with Konect, it was previously in use from Clacton Depot with Hedingham.

Finally we have Borderbus Scania Omnilink YT11LUF now wearing its new owners livery after being acquired from Newport Buses.

Plenty of the Norwich Electric fleet were noted but i am sure most of us know what they look like by now so i thought a bit of variety was more suitable.

Once again many thanks to Roy for letting me be part of the blog which is still proving its worth and i would also like to wish everyone a Happy and Healthy new year.

All the Best, Grahame.

First Great Yarmouth Update

The last update of the year reveals three coastlink Alexander Dennis Enviro400s currently off the road with 33805 YX63 LJK presently over the pits receiving final attention before entering service.



The others are 33806 YX63 LJL, requiring a new axle, with 33807 YX63 LJN also in the Caister Road workshops with a data link fault.

Volvo B9 36215 BJ12 VWX has an oil leak and is parked in the rear yard along with similar 37275 LK58 EDJ plus 33806.

Activity wise former First West Yorkshire B9 37711 YJ09 OBF was back in Great Yarmouth operating the 8s between Gorleston's James Paget Hospital and Caister's Marram Drive plus Great Yarmouth's Wright StreetLite 47503 SN64 CPX was at Lowestoft this morning operating the the 09.50 109 service to Hollow Grove.

My thanks to First Great Yarmouth and Simon Bartram for the information.

Roy

Hemsby Routemasters

2006 saw First Eastern Counties run a fleet of 3 ex London Routemasters on their coastal summer services. Service 3 ran between Great Yarmouth & Hemsby whilst service 5 was named the Coastmaster route heading up to North Norfolk taking in Cromer & Sheringham. I was living in Hemsby at the time so i could easily catch the 3 service in the village.

RML2623 (39623) was given the livery of Flying Banana buses and is seen here at the Beach Road terminus about to head back to Yarmouth.

RML2480 (39480) Retained London Red and is also seen above at the Beach Road terminus on a sunny July afternoon in 2006, timing was handy for these shots as i finished work at 4pm and this departure was around 4.30 so enough time to get home from Yarmouth!

Finally RML2717 (39717) gained a rather debatable version of Great Yarmouth Transport livery, somewhat lighter Blue than anticipated!. This is one of my favourite shots as it leans out onto Beach Road. She has since appeared in Thailand of all places and now lives in a Museum in the country.

Hopefully a trip to Norwich before the new year for a photo catch up and blog post for me, hope you all had a great Christmas day yesterday.

All the best Grahame.

Service Alterations Registered ~ 25th December 2024

Christmas has arrived and I trust you got everything you wished for. If not there's always next year!

The latest East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report has been published this morning and contains a couple of entries of local interest.

Sanders Coaches has been given authorisation for a new operating centre for six vehicles at Completely Coach Travel premises at the Old Cattle Market on Hall Road in Norwich.

High Suffolk Community Transport of Monk Soham, Woodbridge, Suffolk, has commenced operating its 14 service between The Street, Southolt and Internal Road, Martlesham Heath from 1st November 2024.

The full Notices and Proceedings Report will be available for viewing here soon.

Now looking forward to the Christmas dinner!

Roy

Happy Crimbo!!

Well another twelve months that passed by so quickly - another very busy year indeed with almost 400 posts on all the comings and goings for many of our local operators’ fleets. You can view all the posts of the year (and previous years’ posts) in the blog archive located at the bottom left hand side of the web site. There’s also the search facility at the very top of the web page if you are looking for a particular item.



The blog has surpassed well over four and a half million million page views with much of its success down to our many contributors. Thanks to each and every one of you as the information is much valued and appreciated. I don't normally single out anyone in particular, but this year I feel to have to acknowledge the continuous updates and photos from Dan High on the Norwich bus scene. As well as our regular correspondents it is pleasing to see so many new names appearing. Everyone is welcome to provide reports relating to the local bus scene, especially if they are accompanied by photos. See the left hand column of how we can receive them and they can also be anonymous too or under an assumed name.

Once more my very special thanks to Grahame Bessey for his input and support despite being a very busy man recently. I understand he is to venture out with his camera over the holiday period so looking forward to that

Finally both Grahame and I would like to wish all readers, contributors and supporters a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous 2025

Take care all

Complimentary Christmas Vintage Bus Tours

Yesterday marked the start of the traditional complimentary vintage Christmas bus rides around Norwich by Norfolk Vintage Bus Hire.



Due to the unavailability of their usual double-decker, green Routemaster RMC1513 513 CLT is being used for the free half-hour circular around the city. This bus was new to London Transport's Aldenham Works in December 1962. Santa's Elves will be on board to collect donations for charity.



The event is being supported by the privately preserved Eastern Coach Works bodied Bristol VRT VPW 85S. Initially ordered by Waveney District Council, it was first registered for use by Eastern Counties in September 1977.

Buses are running today as well as on the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th of December, all starting from the Coach Bay outside Castle Quarter.

My thanks to Stephen Tyrrell for the photos

Roy

Ex Sanders Deckers In Aylesbury

Regular contributor Mark Doggett tells me that two ex Sanders Coaches double deckers are currently with Redline Line Buses of Aylesbury. Both Volvo B9TL/East Lancs PL08 YLZ and PL08 YMA are pictured in the operator's overflow yard.



Many thanks to Mark for the information and photo.

Roy

New Logos Bus

With Dan High advising that one of First Norwich's Deckers has received First 's new logo design, Stephen Tyrrell has provided photos of the new look.



The vehicle concerned is former Leicester Wright StreetDeck 35180 SK16 GUX with Stephen taking photos of it on Castle Meadow earlier today.



Thanks for the photos Stephen.

Roy

Back On The Road

First Eastern Counties Coastlink liveried Enviro400 33807 YX63 LJN has been repaired at Caister Road and is now back in service on its regular X1/X11 duties



My thanks to First for the update

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 18th December 2024

Firstly, please accept my apologies for not posting here in recent days due to being out of commission! This is the first of many backdated posts which should remedy the situation.

There are no 'local' interest entries in today's East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report. Nevertheless, the complete report is available for viewing here.

Roy

Sanders Sunday Soccer Specials

With Norwich City Football Club playing their home match yesterday, Sanders Coaches ran their football services on a Sunday. Dan High attended the match but took these photos before and after the match.



His first photo shows Scania N94UD OmniDekka 116 YN53 CFZ on NC11 route which originated in North Walsham.



The next one features Volvo B8L/ MCV EvoSeti 129 EC23 SHA which arrived on the NC2 from Fakenham.



Volvo B8R/ Plaxton Panther coach CE24 SAN was employed on the NC5 route from Larling via Thetford.

The final photo is of Volvo B8L/ MCV EvoSeti 128 PC23 SAN preparing to return to Holt on the NC1 service.

My thanks to Dan for sharing his photos and, as for the match result, City lost!

Roy

In For Repair

Coastlink liveried Enviro400 33807 YX63 LJN has been moved over the pits at First's Caister Road premises in readiness for work to begin on its repairs tomorrow. The picture was taken yesterday prior to the transfer inside.

My thanks to First for the information and photo.

Roy

Recent Repaint

A recent First Eastern Counties repaint is former First Leicester Wright StreetDeck 35179 SK16 GUW. It was seen in Norwich yesterday by Dan High in the new First corporate livery.



Thanks Dan

Roy

Lowestoft Interlude

I spent just over half an hour at Lowestoft's Gordon Road bus station earlier this afternoon while the better half continued with the Christmas shopping.



In a previous post I mentioned that Lowestoft's Alexander Dennis Enviro200s 44451 YK09 HKK and 44453 YX09 HKN were languishing in the rear yard at First Great Yarmouth. They have been replaced by another twosome 44599 YX08 HJF and 47485 SN64 CNX and both were in action this afternoon.



Also sighted was Coastal Clipper liveried 37575 AU58 ECZ which was arriving at the bus station on the 99 service from Southwold. It had worked the route all day.



Arriving from Norwich on the X2 from Norwich was coastlink 33808 YX63 LJO which had returned to active service earlier in the month.



Although the afternoon was dull and gloomy I appeared to get some reasonable photos.

Roy

Acquired For Spares

Earlier today, Dan High noted an unexpected appearance at Dolphin Autos' premises on Swanton Road, Norwich.



The vehicle in question was former Norse Volvo B10M / Plaxton Premiere 7175 - LKZ 4453 acquired for spare parts. Previously registered as P193 HNT and 6280 RU, it was obtained by Norse from Abbey Coaches of Neilston in Scotland in September 2011.

Thanks Dan for the photo.

Roy

First Great Yarmouth Update

The latest from First's Caister Road depot is that ex First South Yorkshire Wright StreetLite 47484 SN64 CNV and partial open topper 37068 CRZ 599 have passed their MOTs for another year. Norwich's Wright StreetDeck 35114 SO15 CUX was also undergoing its test yesterday.



Volvo B9TL/ Wright Eclipse 36288 LX59 DBZ continues to have its engine rebuilt while similar 37563 AU58 ECA has gearbox issues

Meanwhile, in the rear yard are Coastlink branded Alexander Dennis Enviro400s 33805 YX63 LJK and 33807 YX63 LJN plus Volvo B9TL 37275 LKD58 EDJ. Lowestoft's Alexander Dennis Enviro200s 44451 YK09 HKK and 44453 YX09 HKN also remain in the yard having not moved for a while.

My thanks to First for the updates

Roy

Norwich This Morning

Dan High was stationed in his usual spot at Castle Meadow in Norwich this morning and reports the following.



Central Connect's ADL Enviro200 MMC YY24 HBJ was seen ready to depart on Simonds' service 82 to Royden.



Not long after, First Eastern Counties' Coastal Red Volvo B9 36215 BJ12 VWX arrived on the number 7 service from Great Yarmouth's Market Gates.



Subsequently, Completely Coaches Travel's Plaxton-bodied Volvo B12 R28 CCT was observed passing through Castle Meadow. This vehicle was formerly registered as KX59 CYE and served with Avacab of Leyland.



Lastly, Smiths Coaches' Toyota BB50R/Caetano Optimo FJ09 DWW, was recorded. The Blofield-based operator acquired the 31-seater from Haines Minicoaches of Leatherhead in October 2017.

Thanks for the photos Dan.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 11th December 2024

Simonds of Bottesdale has two entries in this week's East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report published earlier today.

The operator registered a new Monday to Saturday GY1A factory service commencing on 11th November 2024. It starts at Great Yarmouth's Beach Coach Station and picks up enroute to KFC Gillingham and comprises one am and one pm journey.


Simonds' Scania WVE 284 on a factory service from Beach Coach Station in August this year

From 25th November 2024, Simonds also began a limited stop GY2 service from KFC Gillingham to the Cranswick factory at Eye. There are eight journeys a day from Monday to Saturday.

The full Notices and Proceedings Report will be available for viewing here soon.

Roy

Megabus Continues

David Slater writes 'Despite the recent press releases that Megabus was to withdraw a number of services that operate wholly within England and Wales after December 4, it looks like the Birmingham-Norwich service may continue for a little while longer although with revised timings.

The Megabus website is different now and also shows National Express journeys achieved by changing coaches at London. From what I can make out the direct Birmingham-Norwich service will operate on December 6,7,8,13,14,15 and 21. After that nothing is shown.


Thandi Executive Coaches were operating the Stagecoach M87 to Norwich on 3rd November 2024

Departure times from Birmingham are 0840 and 1310 arriving in Norwich at 1245 and 1715. Departure times from Norwich Bus Station are 1335 and 1825 arriving in Birmingham at 1740 and 2230. Intermediate points are still Coventry, Cambridge and UEA'.

I am grateful to David for the update.

Roy

Coastlink on Coastal Route

For the past three days or so, First Eastern Counties Alexander Dennis Enviro400 33813 YX63 LKA has been employed away from its normal route and has been operating on the 8s between Gorleston's James Paget Hospital and Caister's Marram Drive.



The attached photo, supplied by an anonymous contributor, shows the coastlink branded decker on the Coastal Reds service at the James Paget Hospital terminus earlier today.

Roy

Eastons' Thursford Excursion.

Today, Norfolk's Eastons Coaches are operating a vintage excursion to the Thursford Christmas Spectacular, featuring travel on their classic Bedford SB3/Duple WLO 685, which was new in March 1959.

Thankfully, my sister-in-law was aboard and she captured these photographs prior to this morning's departure from Thickthorn.



Roy

First Great Yarmouth Update

The latest update from First Great Yarmouth is that Coastlink branded Alexander Dennis Enviro400 33808 YX63 LJO has returned to active service.



Two Volvo B9 open toppers have become due for their MOTs - 37533 CRZ166 has passed its test whilst 37068 CRZ 599 is currently over this pits having its annual inspection.

The other item to report is that ex Go Ahead London Volvo/Wright Gemini 36288 LX59 DBZ is having an engine rebuild.

My thanks to First for the update.

Roy

StreetDeck Repaint

Earlier today Dan High observed First Eastern Counties 35288 SL67 VXS on its first day back in service following its repaint into First's new corporate livery.



The former First West Yorkshire Wright StreetDeck transferred to Norwich in June this year retaining its Leeds City Green branding.

My thanks to Dan for the info and photo.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 4th December 2024

Some entries to report from this week's East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report published earlier today

Beccles-based BorderBus amended the timetable of its 580 service between Bungay and Great Yarmouth from 18 September 2024

Ambassador Travel of Great Yarmouth has revised the route, stopping places and timetable of its 68 service between Church Road, Upton in Norfolk and Great Yarmouth Colleges from 25th November 2024.

Lowestoft operator Philip John Overy, trading as Angies Tours, has received approval for a new operating centre at Great Tey Business Park in Essex for 4 vehicles.

The full Notices and Proceedings Report will be available for viewing here soon.

Roy