National Express 727 Service ~ Edwards Coaches

David Slater reports 'Since 1 July, which saw changes to the Great Yarmouth-Heathrow National Express service 727, there is now a vehicle of Edwards Coaches (Bristol/South Wales) to be seen on one of the workings.

I am puzzled about it. On paper it is simple enough but in reality it is not quite as clear. The workings, which would be far more conveniently worked from the Norfolk end, are as follows:
    0320 Norwich Bus Stn-Heathrow 0715
    0920 Heathrow-Norwich Bus Stn 1320*
(* no intermediate calls between Cambridge and Norwich on the 0920 ex Heathrow)
However, based on what I have so far looked at, the coach works from the Heathrow end and appears to spend fourteen hours in Norwich.

I have added a longish posting on the Anglia Bus Forum outlining what I have found regarding the latest 727 workings with a photograph of an Edwards coach taken at Barton Mills on Friday 29 July. To save repeating the text here this is a link: http://www.atvbf.co.uk/index.php?topic=9759.msg74950#msg74950

Edwards Coaches BV22 VTZ approaching Fiveways at Barton Mills on 29th June 2022

I wonder if any of your contacts have mentioned about seeing the Edwards Coach in Norwich? I was wondering if the coach was being driven by Ambassador drivers to avoid an Edwards driver being off duty in Norwich for that length of time. In my photograph the driver is visible so someone might recognise him if he works for Ambassador. http://www.ipernity.com/doc/davidslater-spoddendale/51474896

I would be very interested to know if anyone knows anything.'

So would we! - Roy

Another Blackpool Tram For EATM

The East Anglia Transport Museum had an interesting arrival yesterday morning. Namely Blackpool Corporation 'Brush' single deck tramcar no.290.



The 1937 built car was acquired from the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust following that organisations abandoning plans to create a museum in Fleetwood and they are seeking homes for the trams in their collection.

Although modernised in various ways in the 1960's it still retains its streamlined appearance. and makes an interesting comparison with Blackpool 'Vambac' no.11 already in the fleet at the museum. Electrically and mechanically no.290 is a much simpler car than no.11 and therefore easier to maintain and operate. It is intended to superficially modify the car to accept wheelchairs and thus become the specialised 'disability tram in the museums fleet.

Having been out of use for a number of years the tram requires some attention before entering into service at the museum.

My thanks to Tim Major for the information and photos.

Roy

Sanders Disposal

Sanders Coaches have disposed of a Wright Pulsar bodied VDL200 in the shape of 405 YJ59 AZA It was new as a demonstrator serving with Arriva and First Bradford (the latter as number 62900 in the fleet) and a new life now beckons

My thanks to LiamS for the information. My photo shows YJ59 AZA in Castle Meadow, Norwich on 16th January 2016.

Update: The VDL is now with Tanat Valley Coaches of Montgomeryshire

Roy

Sandringham Flower Show

David Bell sends his annual report on coaches attending the Sandringham Flower Show which returned after a three year gap on 27th July. Changes made since the last show took place include charges for car parking and prohibition of car parking on the approaching roads.

The entry fee for the show has also been significantly increased from £12.50 in 2019 to £20 in 2022. Despite this over 70 coaches turned up mostly from East Anglia but also from Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire. Attached is a selection of photographs. Note how brown the grass is an indication of how little rainfall there has been in the area in July.

Details of vehicles illustrated is as follows. KY08 KUF Volvo/Plaxton with Dans Coach Travel of Stowmarket still in the livery of previous owner Three C's Travel of Nedging Tye.

Also attending was MIL 8912 Mercedes/Unvi with Grebe Coaches of Beccles;

Another was WIW 1672 short Sunsundegai Sideral with Grayscroft coaches of Mablethorpe;

Operated by Skills of Nottingham was YS22 JFY a new DAF Irizar

EDZ 114 Mercedes Benz Tourismo was also present from Avanti Coaches of Norwich..

Notable absentees this year were Wrights of Newark who have ceased operation, Sanders of Holt and Ipswich Buses who normally provide a double decker.

My thanks to David for his report and photos

Roy

Lambert's Coaches Closure

A long weekend break down in Worthing and I thought nothing much is happening so I won't take the iPad for posting as there wouldn't be much to report. How wrong I was! So I've prepared the posts in date order and re-dated them so they appear as they would've done on the days.



The first to report is the demise of Lambert's Coaches of Beccles and the rumours of closure became a reality when viewing David Martin's photo of an empty yard on the Friends of PSV Circle Facebook Group on Saturday morning which confirmed it.

Lambert's Coaches was a family operated business of some 110 years experience and I sent a personal message to Managing Director Lorraine Reade who said it was a very hard decision to make.



The photos are from a visit I made in Spring 2015

Roy

Dereham Coachways Closure

Following our Saturday post regarding the two disposals by Dereham Coachways (Dereham Coachways Departures - 23rd July 2022), Nick F visited the their Rashes Green premises yesterday and found the operation had closed. It was subsequently confirmed on Facebook that closure took place last week

However, three coaches remain on site which included two Van Hool T9 bodied Volvo B10Ms in the form of V64 FSK and XFK 305. The former was acquired from Docherty of Auchterarder, Scotland whilst the latter previously registered as R790 WSB was purchased from Collins of Cliffe, in North Yorkshire. The third resident was Jonckheere seventy seater Y176 KCS, another Volvo B10M

My thanks to Nick for the photo and information.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 27th July 2022

For the  second consecutive week there are no relevant 'local' entries in today's East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report. However, the full Report can be viewed here.

Roy