Back To The Future!

A glance at the Anglianbus fleetlist on its website reveals an update for the 13th March 2017 (today is the 10th March 2017!)

Konectbus Versa MX08UZU at Castle Meadow, Norwich on 30th April 2011

Whilst Anglian's fleet of 27 remains largely unchanged there are details of vehicles from other Go Ahead subsidiaries stored at the Ellough site. In addition to Konectbus Otare Versa MX08UZU there are details of six Hedingham Volvo Olympians. The sextet are R626MNU, S127RLE, P489MBY, N529/40LHG and P910RYO

Chambers Volvo Olympian N529LHG at Bury St Edmunds Bus Station on 18th May 2013

Where Are They Now ~ W742/757DWX

Last month I reported that First Great Yarmouth's two non DDA compliant Volvo B7TL / Alexander ALX400s 30887 and 30902 (W742/757DWX) had been withdrawn and sold to a dealer in the North West of England.

They have quickly found a new owner with the twosome being acquired by Avon Buses of Prenton, Birkenhead which operates services in Merseyside and Cheshire. 

I am grateful to 'georgeupstairs' for the use of his photo which retains his copyright

Roy

Where Are They Now ~ AO02RBX

Regular blog readers will know that I reported last month that First Great Yarmouth's Volvo B12M / Plaxton Paragon coach 20500 AO02RBX was soon to be on its way to the North West of England following its sale to a dealer from the Liverpool area.

20500 AO02RBX on a Bernard Matthews contract on 30th September 2016

For those who don't subscribe to Facebook, Cameron Robinson has posted that the Volvo has been quickly snapped up by Universal PSV of Clonminam Industrial Estate, Portlaoise in Ireland. It still carries its First Essex and First Great Yarmouth legals and it is not sure whether it will be operated by the new owner or sold on. It now has the Irish registration of  02-LS-6094

Roy

#TBT Throw Back Thursday ~ Eastern Coach Works

As if four posts today is anything to get excited about, I thought that this week's Throw Back Thursday would feature a scene at Lowestoft's Eastern Coach Works during the 1980s

Mindful that 2017 sees the 30th anniversary since the closure of the works on Eastern Way, I thought this 5th June 1985 photo of two Leyland Olympians 'straight out of the box', so to speak, would be quite appropriate.

Nearest the camera is Crossville's B197DTU which has yet to receive its DOG197 fleet number. It went on to receive Midland Red and Arriva liveries prior to going to Eagles & Crawford of Gwernymynydd. It was subsequently acquired by P & O Lloyd of Bagillt in August 2005 and then moved on to Alpine Travel in February 2009. The June 2015 issue of Buses magazine reported Alpine had sold it to a dealer.

Behind is United's 254 B254RAJ which later became East Yorkshire's 542. However, it didn't last as long as B197DTU as it was written off following an accident in April 2002; being scrapped a month later.

Roy

Martham Green Line

The Martham - Lowestoft  1 service has an unusual working to report this morning, a message from Will Drake to say that Norwich Green Line liveried Streetlite 63320 SK65PXA was in use on the service this morning. It is pictured outside Caister Road about to start its duty.

Seen here later in the day by myself in Ormesby St Margaret about to stop outside the Royal Oak.

Thanks to Will for the message and Photograph.

Grahame.

Seafront Sightings

The lovely mild sunny morning greeting us here on the east coast encouraged me to continue my regular school/college run to Great Yarmouth seafront.

Shearings Setra BG63VNN parked in front of National Holidays Tourismo NH15LDN

It wasn't wasted as I netted four coaches on mid week tour duty - three of them parked close to the SeaLife Centre whilst their prospective occupants consumed their breakfasts at the nearby Carlton Hotel. Parked together were Shearings Holidays Setra 632 BG63VNN (which also made an appearance last week) and National Holidays Mercedes Benz Tourismo NH15LDN

On the opposite side of Marine Parade (above) was a 16 plated Mercedes Benz Tourismo basking in the sunshine. Shearings Holidays 839 BJ16KXM was painted in the latest version of the Grand Tourer livery.

Continuing my journey northwards, I came across another National Holidays coach close to Britannia Pier - this time it was Setra NH13BWH

Roy

Midweek City Break

Been a while since i had the camera out in Norwich so i ventured up to the city yesterday to catch up with the goings on.

It was my first visit since all the Red line Geminis had been painted so i managed to grab a selection of them in use, 36191 BN12JYR is seen here in Theatre Street heading out towards Thorpe on the 24A.

Sanders recently aquired some Volvo B7RLE's from GHA Coaches in Wales, DK09DZH is pictured above heading to Stalham on the 10 service.

Konectbus will shortly be finishing the 7/X7 services to Great Yarmouth so a few shots were grabbed for historical purposes so to speak!  Normal liveried Enviro SN65OAB seen here in Castle Meadow working the 7 service.

Finally my first taste of an ex Leeds Gemini for my trip back to Acle, 36187 BN12JYK was on X11 duties to Belton, seen here at The Kings Head in the village.

Grahame.