Caister Road Update

Nimbus 43862 EG52FGK is currently undergoing engine repairs at Caister Road

Regular correspondent Ryan updates us with the latest news from Caister Road

ADL Enviro400 33423 SN60CAA, currently out of action with a suspension issue, is presently at Volvo in Norwich and is unlikely to return to service until next week

The engine problem with Caetano Nimbus 43862 EG52FGK is currently being worked on 

Both of the X1 liveried Volvo B12Ms are currently on inspection following the completion of repairs to 20514 WV02EUP

Volvo Olympian 34111 W431CWX is awaiting an MOT and President 32213 LT52WTW still has engine faults

Finally, Routemaster 39623 NML623E is having work undertaken at Perfects Engineering on Harfreys Industrial Estate

My thanks to Ryan for the constant supply of information

Javelins L18SLT and FN02HGY with recent arrival Volvo FP51EUN

Smiths Coaches Visit

Joe Leathers-Watson paid a visit to the Blofield depot of Smith's Coaches during yesterday afternoon and found most of the fleet on site

Seen at the front of the yard were Dennis Javelins L18SLT, FN02HGY and recent arrival

Plaxton Paragon bodied Volvo B10M 333SXU peers out of the garage

Volvo B12M FP51EUN

Also observed was Plaxton Paragon bodied Volvo B10M 333SXU (previously Y152EAY), Toyota Coaster BV55UES and Iveco Eurorider S1WDA.

The latest arrival, a Jonckheere in a slightly different Smiths livery, was parked right at the back of the other coaches so no picture could be taken

However, one of the chaps at the depot opened the garage so Joe could get a photo of the company's oldest vehicle - a Bedford YMT. New in December 1979 to Smith of Alcester, JKV412V joined the Blofield fleet in 1994

Also sitting in the garage was another Toyota Coaster, YAH434

My thanks to Joe Leathers-Watson for the report and photos and to the staff at Smiths Coaches for their assistance with this information

Service Alterations Registered ~ 2nd April 2014

The latest Eastern Area Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report was published yesterday on the Gov.UK website.

Publication No 2176 includes little of interest to the East Norfolk/East Suffolk area other than the change of an operating centre for Feeline Executive Travel. With a registered address of Market Mews in Stalham, the partners Richard Hopkiss and Pamela Hopkiss have moved the operating centre from Norwich Road, Wroxham to The Archway in Stalham. Two vehicles will be allowed to operate there.

Information source: Traffic Commissioner for the Eastern Traffic Area - Notices & Proceedings Report 2176 - published on 2nd April 2014.

Anglian Scania Damaged

Regular contributor Tim Miller reports the sighting of one of Anglian's Scania OmniCity deckers at Car & Commercial's Beccles premises earlier this morning

Scania 553 AO57HCC sustained front end damage following an accident yesterday.

Tim had no further information to hand but I have subsequently noted on Steve W's blog that it was invoved in an accident with a Royal Mail van and that the twenty or so passengers and the driver were unhurt.

My thanks to Tim for the report, update and photo of 553 at CarCom this morning

BIG6620 Repaint

Bova Futura BIG6620 is now in Rigby's of Altham livery. Photo: Dave Sharpe

Some two weeks ago I reported the disposal of Reynolds of Caister Bova BIG6620 to Rigby's of Altham

The Lancashire operator has wasted little time in repainting it into their orange colour scheme which transforms the coach completely

A photo of the new livery has been reproduced with the permission of Dave Sharpe 

Ensignbus Activity ~ March 2014

Freshly painted in Anglian livery, YN03WRP at Car & Commercial in September 2012

Photo courtesy of  Tim Miller

Ross Newman has supplied details to Essex Buses Yahoo Group of Ensignbus dealership activity for the month of March

Among the disposals is the sale of former Anglianbus Scania OmniCity YN03WRP to Landmark Hire of Arlesey in Bedfordshire

London red liveried WRP was transferred from Metrobus to the Suffolk based operator in September 2012 and received its Anglian colours later that month.

With the introduction of the new Anglianbus network a year later, WRP was declared surplus to requirements and subsequently moved on to Ensign (dealer)

Latest Update From Caister Road

Three deckers due for further attention in the Caister Road workshops

Regular contributor Ryan has supplied the latest update from First's Caister Road depot

ADL Enviro400  33423 SN60CAA is currently out of action with a suspension problem

Three Presidents are also currently off the road; 32204 LT52WTK for inspection, 32208 LT52WTO for inspection repairs and

32213 LT52WTW with engine problems

Vehicles due for attention last week included Norwich's LR02LXX for an MOT

A trio of Olympians are also due in the workshops; 34111 W431CWX is to have an MOT  with both 34108 W435CWX and 34110 W437CWX awaiting parts

Former Jersey Nimbus 43862 EG52FGK is receiving attention to its engine and similar 43865 EG52FGU and 43866 EG52FGV are here from Lowestoft for their MOTs

Finally Volvo 20514 WV02EUP is out of service with inspection repairs

My thanks to Ryan for his detailed report and photos