Sunday, 9 February 2025

Sunday Sightings

A few photos from this morning whilst i was out and about.

No trains from Yarmouth today so Bus replacements were in place.


Angies Tours Scania YN57FZL was one of a few vehicles noted at the station this morning.


First Eastern Counties Streetlites 47502 & 47512 were both parked up awaiting their turns.

Next stop was a look in on Ambasssor Travel's yard as i am still trying to get shots of their 24 plate arrivals, no such luck but National Express Caetano Laevante BV72XFB was noted ready for use.


Finally i managed to grab First Norwich loanee 36181 in use on the X1 service, seen below on the Magdalen estate heading for Lowestoft.


Grahame.

Saturday, 8 February 2025

Norwich Observations - Friday

Regular contributor Dan High was in his usual spot at Castle Meadow in Norwich during yesterday morning and here is a selection of the photos he’s provided.


The first shows First Great Yarmouth (but still with Norwich branding) Volvo B9 36201 BN12 WOB on the 7 from the seaside town.


Next up is Completely Coach Travel’s Van Hool bodied Astromega X28 CCT passing through Castle Meadow still in its Oxford Tube colours . It was new to Bluebird Buses as their SV17 DVW.


Konectbus Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC 201 YX69 NPF was being employed on the 502 Sprowston Park and Ride.


Former London Borough of Redbridge Alexander Dennis Enviro400 SN12 EHC arrived in the city on Simonds route 2 from Roydon (what a silly place to put a post!)


Sanders Coaches Volvo B5TL 126 LL71 SHA was on the North Norfolk operator’s X40 direct service from Sheringham.

My thanks to Dan for the images.

Roy

Friday, 7 February 2025

Latest From First Great Yarmouth

There has been further activity at First Eastern Counties Caister Road depot with two partial open toppers passing their MOT inspections. Both Volvo B7 32348 LK53 LZL and Volvo B9 37065 CRZ 266 are the two concerned with the former having had three weeks of attention in the workshops.


An unusual arrival today, on a low loader, is First Essex Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 36216 BJ12 VWY for an engine replacement.


My thanks to First for the information and photo with Dan High providing a photo of 32348 active in Norwich last year where it is expected to return this summer.

Roy

StreetLite On X2

John Russell was walking through Norwich Bus Station this morning and was surprised to see First Lowestoft Wright Streetlite 47484 (SN64 CNV) waiting to depart with 09:35 X2 service to the town.


My thanks to John for the information and photo

Roy 

N & N Hospital Bus Activity

I had ten minutes or so to spare after transporting a family member to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for an appointment yesterday. So, naturally, I ventured outside to observe some bus activity!.



Services are provided by both First Eastern Counties and Konectbus with the former employing some of their recently new Wright StreetDeck Electroliners on routes. Our first photo shows one such vehicle, 36539 BK73 AFJ, about to leave on the 15:05 service 21 to Old Catton.



The next photo shows similar 36547 BK73 AGO departing the hospital with the 15:08 to Norwich Riverside on the 26 route.



Konectbus park and ride liveried ADL Enviro400 627 SN65 OAG broke the monopoly of buses appearing in First's new corporate livery. It was employed on the 3 to Watton.



Seen immediately behind was Pink Line 35197 SK16 GVW on the 11 to Hethersett, having begun its journey at Sprowston at 14:12



Another Konectbus ADL Enviro400 617 SK15 HKA is seen passing destined for Norwich Bus Station on the 3 having originated at Watton at 14:20

Fortunately time was up plus it was also getting a little on the cool side, so I returned to the main building to warm up!

Roy

Thursday, 6 February 2025

Specialist Passenger Solutions ~ Ipswich

Following Grahame's report on Saturday regarding Specialist Passenger Solutions at Ipswich, regular contributor Mark Doggett paid a visit there the following day.



Mark took some photos of the site at 2-6 Central Avenue but couldn't gain access due to security issues. The only vehicle present during his visit was Wright bodied double-decker 39726 BG74 DLD which displayed the address on the legal lettering.



My thanks to Mark for the information and photos.



Roy

Another BMC Condor For Dolphin

A recent arrival at Norwich-based Dolphin Autos is another BMC Condor in the form of YJ07 VXS. Initially new to CT Plus of Wakefield in April 2007, it also saw use with East Midlands operator Harpurs Coaches.



My thanks to Dan High for the photo

Roy

Wednesday, 5 February 2025

Service Alterations Registered ~ 5th February 2025

A few items of local interest are contained in today's East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report.

First Eastern Counties has amended the timetables of two routes serving the East Norfolk Sixth Form College in Gorleston. They are 982 from North Cove, near Lowestoft, and the 981 from Worlingham which both took effect from 5th January 2025.

Sanders Coaches has amended the timetables of two schools services, including he 102 between Edgefield's Rectory Road and Holt Primary School which was effective from 1st January 2025. The other route is the 201 Wicken Green to Wells-next-the-Sea Primary School, Polka Road effective from 9th December 2024.

Donald and Sheila Henwood of Church Road in Blundeston, Suffolk have had their licence terminated with effect from 28th January 2025 with all services running under that licence being surrendered with immediate effect.

The Levante Agency of Buckingham has withdrawn its application for a licence for an operating centre at Willow Close in Brundall near Norwich

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

Roy

Tuesday, 4 February 2025

Wymondham to Wicked

A regular contributor from some time ago has been in touch to provide a photo of Freestones Coaches' S28 FSC (ex City Circle coach YN16 WUL). Tom Baker reports that it was waiting passengers from Wymondham College on Sunday 2nd February, for a private hire trip to London's Victoria Apollo Theatre to see the show 'Wicked'.



My thanks to Tom for the information and photo.

Roy

Monday, 3 February 2025

Hedingham's Enviro400 in Norwich

Regular contributor Dan High reports the use of Hedingham's ADL Enviro400 642 LK08 FLN on Norwich Airport Park & Ride duties. It was seen complete with Hedingham's fleet names on Castle Meadow earlier today



My thanks to Dan for the photo.

Roy

First Great Yarmouth MOTs Due

In addition to Grahame’s previous report on the vehicle exchange with First Norwich, First Great Yarmouth have an interesting list of MOTs up for renewal.


Two them involve Specialist Passenger Solutions’ Wright StreetLites  based at Lowestoft for Sizewell duties. SK17 HGX and SK17 HHA are numbered 47802 and 47805 respectively in the First Eastern Counties fleet. 47802 is seen in the rear yard of the Caister Road site when there with 47803 in March last year.

Also waiting their turn in the MOT queue are Coastlink Enviro400 33816 YX63 LKE and partial open top 37065 CRZ 266

My thanks to First for the information.

Roy

Sunday, 2 February 2025

FEC Yarmouth Loan Swap

Weekend movements between Yarmouth and Norwich depots have seen Volvo B7RLE's 69951 & 69552 swap places.

69552 has returned to Norwich with 69551 now at the coast on loan.

Both are pictured in Norwich from my visit in December 2023. Both were transferred to Norwich from Weymouth.

Grahame.

Saturday, 1 February 2025

Ipswich News

First Ipswich has just received one of its Enviro 300 single deck vehicles back from repaint into the companies new corporate style, the new livery has been named Ultraviolet we are reliably informed!

67775 SN62AXO is pictured above working the 75 service to Felixstowe, it previously wore the all blue park & ride livery.

First have also just taken delivery of Four Hydrogen powered Wright bodied Double Decks as part of their Specialist Passenger Solutions Fleet which will be based at Ipswich for the Sizewell C workers contract.


Three have been noted so far at the new operating centre in Ipswich.

39726 BG74DLD

39727 BG74DLF

39729 BG74DLJ

 Many thanks to Ryan (Mini Snapper) for his excellent photos he has been taught well !)

All the Best Grahame.