Sanders X55 Yesterday

North Norfolk operator Sanders was operating coaches on its X55 route between North Walsham and Norwich during yesterday morning.



Regular contributor Dan High witnessed three such workings with the first being Volvo B9 / Caetano Levante 907 WOA 521.



Next up was Volvo B8R /Plaxton Panther 927 CE 24 SAN named Charles Edward Sanders.



Finally, Volvo B9R/ Caetano Levante 929 W29 SCL was passing First Norwich Wright StreetLite 47510 SN64 CRV on Castle Meadow.

My thanks to Dan for the photos.

Roy

Current Loans

Today I thought I would make an effort to try and capture photos of First Great Yarmouth’s two loan vehicles from Norwich. Following a check of their workings on Bus Times, I found my luck was in as they were both due to arrive in Gorleston High Street at the same time.

First Norwich Charcoal Line Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 36181 BF12 KXU duly arrived a couple of minutes late on the 10:25 X11 from Norwich destined for Belton. The decker was originally based at Great Yarmouth prior to transfer to Norwich for Charcoal Line duties in 2017.

Following almost immediately behind was First Norwich Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse 69552 BF12 KWP on the 11:15 service 2 from Market Gates to the James Paget Hospital in Gorleston. It was initially delivered to Great Yarmouth in February 2023 prior to entering service in Norwich in its First Wessex colours.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 29th January 2025

Today's East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report contains one item of 'local' interest.

Konectbus has given notice of the cancellation of three Norwich Park and Ride services including the 501 from Postwick. They are effective from 30th March 2025. (The Norwich Park & Ride changes can be viewed at Norwich P&R Site Saved)

The full Notices and Proceedings Report will be available to be viewed here soon.

Roy

Open Top MOT

One of First's partial open top buses is to have its MOT this week and was being prepared at Great Yarmouth's Caister Road depot earlier today. It was Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B9 37066 CRZ 366, formerly First YorkYK57 EZV.

My thanks to First for the information and photo.

Roy

MMC on Simond's 82 Route

There was an unexpected appearance of an unusual double decker at Norwich's Castle Meadow earlier this morning.



It was Central Connect's Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC YY74 OBU arriving on Simond's 82 service from Roydon.



I am grateful to Dan High for the photos and report

Roy

Sanders' Saturday Soccer Specials

With a lunchtime kick-off today, Dan High was able to get photos of some of the Sanders fleet working soccer specials to Carrow Road.

He also able to get a photo of the Swansea City AFC team's coach a smart looking Scania/ Irizar i8 YN74 XWJ

My thanks to Dan for the photos

Roy

Great Yarmouth Visitors

There were a few visitors to First's Great Yarmouth's Caister Road depot earlier today presumably to make up for a vehicle shortage.



Two blue Volvo B9s were parked together; ex First West Yorkshire YJ09 OBW was used complete with HD Connect branding whereas 36177 BD11 CGF was employed on X1/X11 services earlier.



Another interloper was Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse 69552 BF12 KWP which was noted next to one of the Lowestoft-based Specialist Passenger Solutions StreetLites in the shape of 47802 SK17 HGX.

My thanks to Cameron Robinson for the use of his photos

Roy

J&M Preservations Latest Acquisition

We can exclusively reveal that a local preservation group has acquired an ex First vehicle which had previously operated in the Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft area. Alexander ALX400 bodied Volvo B7TL W742 DWX is the second decker purchased by J&M Preservations but its the first of their vehicles with a local connection.

W742 DWX was new to Yorkshire Rider in July 2000 and First Eastern Counties obtained it from First West Yorkshire in March 2008. It moved to Great Yarmouth when First closed its Kings Lynn operation in June 2011.

In March 2012 it transferred to First Lowestoft joining two others there. In May 2013 it went to First Ipswich on loan and then a permanent move to First Essex at Braintree in December of that year. It returned to Great Yarmouth in June 2016 and was later relegated to contract duties and is observed in the rear yard at Caister Road in January 2017.

The following month it was withdrawn as being non DDA compliant and sold to a dealer in North West England. From there it joined Avon Buses of Prenton in Birkenhead as observed in Cody Cooke’s photo still in First colours. It later moved to Redroute Bus & Coach of Gravesend where it obtained red livery and was acquired by J&M Preservations.

My thanks to Mason Lee for his photo and help with this post

Roy

Konectbus Repaint

A Konectbus Alexander Dennis Enviro200 was being employed on workings today after a repaint at Hants & Dorset Trim. It was previously in Norwich Park and Ride colours



Chad Lovick has provided photos of 200 in use on the 12 in Dereham this morning on its first day back in service.

My thanks to Chad for the use of his photos.

Roy

Back Home

Following its engine replacement and passing its MOT, ADL Enviro200 44451 YX09 HKK has now returned to First Lowestoft. It is seen there earlier today.

Coastlink branded ADL Enviro400 33806 YX63 LJN has also returned to active duties after the fitting of a new axle.

My thanks to First for the information and photo.

Roy 

Date For The Diary

A date for the diary during May 2025

Latest First Update

The latest news from First Great Yarmouth is that engine replacement on Lowestoft’s ADL Enviro200 44451 YX09 HKK has now been completed. It is now over the pits for its MOT. Similar 44450 YX09 HJO is currently at Caister Road to have an engine swap.

Volvo B9s 37565 AU58 ECD and 37570 AU58 ECT need attention. The former has had its engine rebuilt whereas the latter needs new timing gears.

Coastlink branded ADL Enviro400 33803 YX 63 LJF has a gearbox issue.

My thanks to First Eastern Counties for the update.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 22nd January 2025

Today's East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report contains just the one item of 'local' interest.

First Eastern Counties has amended the routes and timetables of its 41, 41A and 941 routes from Norwich serving Harleston from 5th January 2025.

The full Notices and Proceedings Report will be available to be viewed here soon.

Roy

Coach Services' Branding

Regular contributor Jdraves1 reports that one of the Coach Services' recent acquisitions from Simonds has received new branding.



His photos show Volvo B7RLE BT63 UUP with the new branding and it is expected that similar BT63 UUR will be treated in the same manner.



My thanks to Jdraves1 for the information and photos.



Roy

Enviro200 Engine Replacement

First Lowestoft’s recently withdrawn ADL Enviro200 44451 YX09 HKK is having a replacement engine fitted at First Great Yarmouth’s Caister Road premises.



Similar withdrawn 44453 YX09 HKN no longer appears on the service sheets so it’s future appears to be bleak. According to Bus Times it last worked on Lowestoft’s 99 route in late September.

My thanks to First for the information.

Roy

Coastlink On Coastal Reds

I mentioned on Tuesday last that, due to vehicle shortage at First Great Yarmouth, some Coastlink deckers are being employed local Coastal Red services. Here's an example of one of them, 33808 YX63 LJO on the 3 to Burgh Castle



My thanks to Tobey Jones for the use of his photo.

Roy

StreetDeck Repower

Toby Cullum reports that he was driving back from Oxford when he observed First Norwich 35113 SO15 CUW on the Black Cat Roundabout at Bedford. The StreetDeck was on the back of a tow truck from the city and it was later confirmed on Facebook that it was on its away for a ‘repower’.



Dan High's photo shows the StreetDeck in Norwich earlier this month unusually employed on the 23A to Longwater. My thanks to Dan for the photo and to Toby for the information.

Roy

Completely Business To Open In Great Yarmouth

As you will have seen from yesterday's Notices and Proceedings Report, Completely Business (Completely Coach Travel) are to open an operating centre at Edison Way on Gapton Hall Estate in Great Yarmouth.

Mickey Amey tells me that the business has been undertaking many private hires in Great Yarmouth for a while now and the local base will allow them to be more cost effective by reducing dead mileage with savings passed on to the customer. The site will come into use over the next month or so with a spare vehicle placed there regularly.

Meanwhile a third Astromega has been acquired and is currently being thoroughly checked over prior to its release into service.

My thanks to Mickey for the information

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 15th January 2025

Today's East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report contains some items of 'local' interest

Sanders Coaches have changed the routes, stopping places and timetables of two services. The changes, which came into effect from 14th October 2024, relate to the 88 Lynngate Road, North Walsham to Aylsham High School and the 43/43A/43B Reepham Market Place to Norwich Bus Station services.

Completely Business of Norwich has received authorisation for a new operating centre at The Storage Yard on Edison Way, Gapton Hall in Great Yarmouth for three vehicles.

The full Notices and Proceedings Report will be available to be viewed here soon.

Roy

First 36215 Returns

First Great Yarmouth now has Volvo B9TL /Wright Eclipse 36215 BJ12 VWX back on the road following the previously reported oil leak. Whilst this helps with current vehicle shortage, there are instances where Coastlink deckers are being employed local Coastal Red services.

My thanks to First for the information.

Roy

More Loans

Another loan to First Great Yarmouth is First Norwich Blue Line Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini 36178 BD11 CDX. It is seen on the X11 service to Belton, originating from Norwich, about to leave the temporary Regent Street bus stop in Great Yarmouth whilst works are underway at Market Gates Bus Station.

Similar Blue Line 36177 BD11CGF is also on loan to Great Yarmouth and spent most of the day on service 2 between Great Yarmouth and Gorleston’s James Paget Hospital via the Herring Bridge. Meanwhile, the previous loanees, StreetDecks 35282 SL67 VXK and 35114 SO15 CUX, have returned to Norwich.

My thanks to Tobey Jones for the use of his photo

Roy

StreetDeck Sees Use In Great Yarmouth

 First Norwich sent two of their Wright StreetDecks to Great Yarmouth today to cover for vehicle shortage at Caister Road.

One was former First Bristol 35114 SO15 CUX which was observed by yours truly returning to Great Yarmouth via Gorleston’s Church Road. It was working the 13:25 service 2 from the James Paget Hospital (JPH). It was later observed by Tobey Jones at work on the 8s between Caister and the JPH.

The second StreetDeck was ex First Leeds 35282 SL67 VXK which hasn’t seen much use. (See subsequent Comment below).

My thanks to Tobey for the use of his photo.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 8th January 2025

Today's East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report contains just the one entry of 'local' interest

REL Felixstowe Limited (formerly Felixstowe Travel) of Walton Avenue in Felixstowe has gained approval for an operating centre at their Beach Station Depot for thirteen vehicles.

The full Notices and Proceedings Report will be available to be viewed here soon.

Roy

Angie's Acquisition

Martin Bott reports that Angie's Tours (Philip Overy) Scania/ Higer Y10 PJO was active at Ipswich Rail Station over the weekend on Rail Replacement work. It was previously with Felixstowe Travel as their MX50 FXO



My thanks to Martin for the information and for the use of his photo

Roy

Latest Repaint

Another former Pink Line liveried Streetdeck has gained the new corporate livery and logos. 35196 SK16GVV is the latest to appear in the companies new look colours.

I managed to photograph her below when brand new in April 2016, pictured at Sprowston Tesco.

Many Thanks to Zak for use of his photograph

Grahame.

Happy Anniversaries!

I have recently received an email from regular contributor Stephen Purkiss who provides many photos and information concerning the workings of North Norfolk operator Sanders Coaches.

Sanders Coaches Bedford VAL-70/ Plaxton Panorama SNT 925H at Dereham in May 2024

He tells me he hadn't realised until the other day that 2025 brings up a number of bus related anniversaries in North Norfolk and across Norfolk as a whole. There may be others.

40 years - 5th January 1985 - Eastern Counties Omnibus Company closes Cromer depot and bus station office.

10 years - 26th January 2015 - Lynx starts operating at Kings Lynn, initially in competition with Stagecoach Norfolk Green between Kings Lynn and Hunstanton.

45 years - 1st March 1980 - First day of Eastern Counties' operations without the LM saloons. The last five, LM 626/639/641/643 & 646, were withdrawn on 29th February 1980 .

15 years - 25th September 2010 - First Eastern Counties finally pulls out of Sheringham, Cromer and Aylsham with the withdrawal of service 50.

10 years - 1st November 2015 - Konectbus pulls out of Sheringham, Cromer and Aylsham with the withdrawal of services 2/2A.

50 Years - 1st December 1975 - Norman Sanders takes over Bennett of Holt.

Thanks Stephen

Robert Kelly has subsequently reminded me that 40 years ago this month Great Yarmouth-based Norfolk Motor Services ceased operations in 1985. Thanks Robert

Roy

Norwich On Saturday

Fresh from his time away, Dan High has sent photos of bus related activity in Norwich yesterday.



The first shows First Eastern Counties Wright StreetDeck 35113 SO15 CUW in Castle Meadow. The Orange Line decker was unusually employed on the 23A to Longwater normally the preserve of an Electroliner.



On his way to Carrow Road to watch the Canaries, he stopped off at the railway station where rail replacement was in use for Norwich - Ipswich services. One of the vehicles in use was Completely Coach Travel's Caetano Levante BX16 CKO.



Close to the ground he found SALEC Travel's Van Hool bodied Volvo B12B YJ55 EZE on the 'Canary Express'.



Behind was Sanders Coaches' Volvo B8R/ Plaxton Panther coach CE24 SAN Charles Edward Sanders on their NC5 football service from Larling via Thetford.

My thanks to Dan for the photos.

Roy

Latest Activity

This morning First Eastern Counties partial open topper 32348 LK53 LZL was over the pits at Great Yarmouth receiving work prior to its annual MOT. It returned to Caister Road in late October after working City Clipper 100 services in the summer. One wonders what the future holds for this bus.

Meanwhile First Norwich Yellow Line Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 36266 BG12 YJY has returned to the city from Lowestoft where it arrived on New Years Eve after working Lowestoft - Norwich services for most of the day.

Roy

Ensign Visit

Mark Doggett made his first visit of 2025 to Ensignbus in Essex yesterday where he found a former Anglianbus Wright StreetLite.



Previously with McGill's, MX60 GXA has been at Purfleet for a while but it was the first opportunity he had to get a photo of it. The saloon was new to the Suffolk operator in December 2010 and is shown in their colours on Beccles Road in Bradwell in March 2011.



Also at Ensign was ex Awayadays RML 2151 CUV 151C which is to be a permanent addition to the First Eastern Counties fleet at Norwich.



My thanks to Mark for the Ensign information and photos.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 1st January 2025

With 2025 just arriving I would like to wish you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year.

We begin with the first East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report of the year which was released this morning but contains no entries of 'local interest'. However, the complete report will be available for viewing here soon.

Roy